The parents of a two-week-old baby appeared in court today facing charges of murdering their newborn while in hospital care.
Brendon Staddon tragically passed away at Yeovil District Hospital on March 5 of this year, where he had been receiving treatment.
Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, the parents of Brendon, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.
During their appearance at Bristol Crown Court today, Gunter denied the charges, while Staddon did not enter pleas. A provisional trial, set to last two weeks, has been scheduled for November 11.
The charges allege that being members of the same household as Brendon and having frequent contact with him, Gunter and Staddon either caused his death or failed to protect him from a foreseeable “significant risk of serious physical harm.
Both Gunter and Staddon have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear at the same court in July.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the Major Crime Investigation Team launched an investigation following Brendon’s tragic death. Senior Investigating Officer, DI Mark Newbury, expressed condolences, stating, “This is a particularly tragic case in which a very young baby has died, and our thoughts are with Brendon’s loved ones during this time.
Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Brendon’s death are ongoing, with the cooperation of the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and their staff.
