A shocking inquest has revealed that 10-week-old Phoebe-Rose Douglas died with heroin and cocaine in her system, despite repeated social services warnings. The tiny tot arrived at the hospital “unkempt and smelly,” with dirt under her fingernails and in her skin creases.
Baby Found in Cardiac Arrest
Paramedics rushed Phoebe-Rose from a home on Meaford Drive, Blurton, on October 25, 2019, after reports she had gone into cardiac arrest. She was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit but tragically passed away four days later, on October 29. Tests confirmed the baby had cocaine in her urine on the day she died, with hair samples later revealing exposure to cocaine, heroin, and cannabis.
Parents Admit Child Cruelty Charges
Both parents, Rachel Bourne and John Douglas, admitted child cruelty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in 2024. Bourne was jailed for 31 months, while Douglas received a 10-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. Phoebe-Rose was born in Halifax in August 2019 and moved to Stoke-on-Trent with her mother a month later. Both parents were known drug users, with several social service referrals before Phoebe-Rose’s birth due to family concerns.
Warnings Ignored Despite Living Conditions
One major concern raised in July 2019 involved their squalid living conditions. The couple were later evicted from their home, where drug paraphernalia was found. Paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker told the inquest Phoebe-Rose’s hospital notes showed no signs of newborn withdrawal symptoms but she was difficult to feed. “There was also evidence that feeding bottles were not sterilised,” she said.
Baby Described as “Unkempt and Unclean”
Dr Stalker added that on hospital admission, Phoebe-Rose was “smelly” with “dirty fingernails and feet and creases under arms and neck.” Post-mortem pathologist Dr Roger Malcolmson said the baby was “relatively small” with no signs of physical abuse.
“Her brain was swollen, indicating injury and reduced oxygen. The biggest risk factor was maternal drug use and smoking,” Dr Malcolmson explained.
The inquest into Phoebe-Rose’s tragic death is ongoing.
