Baby boy died after rolling off his mother's bed and getting stuck

A seven month old baby wriggled and rolled off his mum's bed and died after he became wedged between it and his cot, an inquest heard.

St Thomas Hospital. The baby died after falling from his mother's bed. Picture: googlemaps

The body of tragic baby Jermaine Harris was found by his mum Sheree after she realised he was no longer under the covers.

In a state of panic she forced back the bed before finding him in a tiny gap where he had become trapped and unable to cry out for help.

She tried to perform CPR on him and Jermaine was rushed to hospital but could not be revived.

Coroner Ian Arrow, speaking to both Sheree Harris, 41, and Jermaine's father Tinyefun Kool told them it was not his role to apportion blame as the two parents had to be kept apart throughout the hearing.

And during the inquest Mr Kool took issue with the ruling of his son's death as a tragic accident and told the coroner: "This will not sit well with the public."

Mr Arrow had earlier read a statement from consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Andrea Marnerides who carried out a forensic post mortem at St Thomas hospital which revealed there were "no suspicious findings".

In addition, the pathologist noted there was "no evidence of injury" to the seven month old.

As a result, the pathologist found that, on the balance of probabilities, it was likely that Jermaine had rolled over and fell between the cot and the bed, with his legs against the bed, his bottom resting on the floor and his back resting against the bars of the cot.

Dr Marnerides noted that the most likely cause of death was asphyxiation as a result of Jermaine becoming trapped between the bed and the cot.

The coroner heard that on February 13 this year Jermaine was woken by Sheree at around 6am at their home in Plymouth, Devon, before being taken out of his cot for a bottle feed.

She then placed him on the bed as she went to make a cup of coffee. After falling asleep on the sofa she woke up again two hours later to a phone call from a friend who she was planning to go on a day trip with.

She concluded the call and returned to the bedroom but could not find Jermaine on the bed or under any covers. She then realised he had fallen and forced back the bed, revealing his cold and lifeless body.

Det Con Kate Hillman gave evidence regarding her investigations. She explained that her inquiries, with the evidence presented, confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

She said a doctor's report noted that there were no injuries to Jermaine's body and no fractures to his bones.

Following what she described as a "full investigation, talking to everybody involved" the only inconsistencies were regarding the ambulance recordings of a 999 call.

Further investigation noted that the ambulance service's recordings were incorrect and that initial claims that there was no cot in the room was wrong.

Det Con Hillman noted that a health visitor's initial concerns about Jermaine's delayed development were soon put aside after he improved and he had begun to move, roll and wriggle as per his age bracket.

She added: "He was in such a position he was unable to cry out to alert his mother and stopped breathing... the death of Jermaine Harris was a tragic accident."

Mr Kool appeared to take some issue with the detective's comment and repeatedly said in a questioning voice: "tragic accident, tragic accident".

When asked by Mr Arrow whether there was anything unusual about the arrangements in the home, or whether Jermaine was left in the bed or sharing the bed, Det Con Hillman confirmed that he was left on the bed, not sharing the bed with his mother Sheree.

Mr Arrow offered Sheree opportunity to ask any questions she sobbed: "I'm so sorry".

Jermaine's father, Mr Kool asked Det Con Hillman why Jermaine was not placed back in his cot, the detective said she was unable to answer that question.

He added that on the balance of probabilities, as per all the evidence, Jermaine had wriggled and rolled off the bed, became wedged and trapped between it and the cot where he asphyxiated.

He said he was entirely satisfied that this was an accident and recorded a verdict of accidental death accordingly before offering his condolences to both parents, who sat at opposite ends of a table, separated by a coroner's officer.

Mr Kool said that he was told that following the inquest there would be "a bigger meeting" involving both him and his former partner as well as social workers.

He suggested that the details revealed during the inquest would "not look right in the public's eyes".

By this stage Ms Harris was led sobbing from the room by family members who took her into a side room to be comforted.

She did not speak after the inquest but had previously issued a warning to other parents in the hope of avoiding further tragedies.

She said at the time: "I've got nothing to live for. I've had my days. It's not the same now. That little boy was my own life.

"Don't leave them in your bed - ever. I thought he was safe in my bed. Never, never ever do it. I'd done it with my kids when they were poorly. It was only me and Jermaine at my flat.

"If by sharing my story, if I can save a child's life or save them from injury, then it's worth telling it. I can't change the past, but I hope I can save someone's future."