Grieving Parents Await Inquest into Baby’s Tragic Death
Ruth and Martin Kennedy are heartbroken parents waiting for answers about their son Finn’s heartbreaking death. The young couple hope the upcoming inquest will uncover what went wrong.
Tragic Birth at Orpington’s Oasis Birth Centre
Finn, born on June 23, 2021, was Ruth and Martin’s first child. His birth at the midwife-led Oasis Birth Centre in Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, was devastating. During labour, Finn suffered a severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) injury—damage caused by lack of oxygen.
Finn was rushed straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at King’s College Hospital for urgent treatment. But despite the best efforts of medical staff, he passed away on July 1, 2021—just eight days after birth—when his life support was switched off.
Parents Battle Trauma and PTSD After Loss
The trauma hit hard. Ruth, an NHS Speech and Language Therapist, endured a third-degree tear during labour requiring surgery. She continues to fight post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the harrowing experience. Martin, a Quantity Surveyor, was also deeply affected, having witnessed the birth and the heart-wrenching decision to end their son’s life. Both parents struggle daily with overwhelming psychological pain.
Inquest Hopes to Bring Closure
The inquest into Finn’s death began at Inner South London Coroner’s Court on March 11 and 12 and will resume on April 25, 2024. Ruth and Martin are desperate for answers and closure.
Representing the Kennedys is specialist Clinical Negligence Solicitor Bethany Kyle from Ashtons Legal. She’s supporting them through the inquest and helping prepare a civil claim against the hospital involved.
As the Kennedys face the agonising road ahead, they cling to hope that the inquest’s conclusion will shed light on their son’s tragic passing, bringing long-awaited justice and understanding.
