Mum jailed for killing baby girl during depression

A mother who admitted killing her baby girl while suffering from postnatal depression has been jailed for three years pending successful psychiatric treatment.
Chloe Sutherland was almost 10 months old. Picture: Bill Henry/Police ScotlandChloe Sutherland was almost 10 months old. Picture: Bill Henry/Police Scotland
Chloe Sutherland was almost 10 months old. Picture: Bill Henry/Police Scotland

Erin Sutherland smothered her daughter Chloe, who was almost 10 months old, at their home in Edinburgh’s Parkhead View in February.

The 36-year-old was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the High Court in Edinburgh in June.

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Defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC told the court today that the circumstances were “extremely tragic” and Sutherland had intended to take her own life as well.

Judge Lady Wise sentenced her to three years’ imprisonment with a hospital direction, meaning that she will continue treatment for her mental health difficulties.

The judge told her: “The circumstances of this case are tragic for all concerned and nothing I say today can alleviate the suffering of those who have lost Chloe.”

A spokeswoman from Victim Support Scotland on behalf of Chloe’s father Craig Steedman outside the court, said: “Chloe’s father Craig and his family are upset and saddened that the focus of reports in this case turned to how the system had failed Erin Sutherland and not the death of his precious little girl.

“Chloe was the victim in this case - a beautiful, innocent child whose tragic, senseless death is impossible to accept.

“Craig and his family deeply regret that Erin felt unable to accept the help and support which they were desperate to provide. Sadly, she seemed determined that Chloe would never be a part of either his or his family’s lives.

“The system may have failed Erin, however it also failed Craig as a father and most importantly it failed Chloe, his much loved little girl who will be forever missed.”

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