A man from Devizes has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 3-month-old baby daughter.
Samuel Warnock, 29, formerly of Cornfield Road in Devizes admitted to being responsible for the death of his daughter Miyah at Winchester Crown Court today (16/01).
Miyah’s mum Jasmine, 28, also formerly of Cornfield Road, pleaded guilty to Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, which is cruelty to persons under sixteen.
On September 20, 2021, emergency services were called to the couple’s address due to medical concerns regarding baby Miyah.
Miyah was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital on 20 September, 2021 but died on 19 October from a brain bleed.
Caroline Carberry KC, prosecuting, said the pleas "were acceptable" following consultation with the chief crown prosecutor and the baby's maternal grandparents. She said Mr Warnock faced up to 16 years in prison while Mrs Warnock faced a sentence of up to two years.
Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, representing Mrs Warnock, said her client had entered a guilty plea on the basis that she did not witness any assault on Miyah adding: "Jasmine Warnock did not foresee the risk of death or any serious injury to Miyah from the actions of Sam Warnock.
"Jasmine Warnock at no time inflicted injury on Miyah and was not present when injury was inflicted."
The court heard from Ms Bennett-Jenkins that when Mrs Warnock raised the issue of Miyah's bruising, Mr Warnock told her he had a 'loss of sensitivity in his hands' which affected how he handled the baby.
He also told her he had fallen down the stairs while carrying Miyah after his 'knee had given way'.
"Jasmine Warnock accepted these explanations without pressing further," Ms Bennett-Jenkins said.
She added Mrs Warnock had raised the issue of Mr Warnock's handling of Miyah but accepted that she had not taken further steps to prevent it from happening.
She said Mrs Warnock was not present when Miyah first collapsed on 18th September but saw her subsequently.
She was recorded on a 999 call saying the child 'could not breathe properly, her eyes were rolling backwards and she was going limp'.
Ms Bennett-Jenkins said Mrs Warnock accepted that she did not investigate the cause of the collapse and had allowed Mr Warnock to have sole care of Miyah on the following days before her death.
Both Samuel and Jasmine Warnock will be sentenced on March 18 at Winchester Crown Court.
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