A nine-day-old baby died from cocaine poisoning after being breastfed by her drug-addicted mother in a Cornwall hotel. Andrew Maunder and Rochelle Thomas, who were staying at the Hotel Victoria in Newquay, were each given suspended sentences at Truro Crown Court.
Darcey Maunder was found dead on November 11, 2023. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, but Darcey was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival around 11am. The couple were found screaming and distraught by Thomas' own mother in their hotel room, with Darcey laying unconscious and bloodied.
Drug use before and after birth
Maunder, 29, of Trelowarren Street in Camborne, and Thomas, 30, from Fiddlers Green near Newquay, were arrested and each charged with a single count of child neglect, to which they pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst stated that the use of the Class A drug by Thomas and Maunder was so extensive that they had "put their baby daughter's health at risk". He explained that the newborn could have ingested cocaine as it was present on her parents' clothes, fingers, hands and even on a cup on the bedside table.
Tests on baby Darcey's blood confirmed the presence of cocaine. Mr Ticehurst said: "Ms Thomas was breastfeeding Darcey and cocaine can be ingested by a baby through breastfeeding." Cocaine in an infant can lead to fever, loss of consciousness, heart complications and even death.
Court hears of addiction and tragedy
Maunder would often indulge in several lines of cocaine a night, while Thomas also consumed cocaine before and after giving birth to her daughter. Toxicology tests on their hair and blood indicated long-term cocaine use, suggesting that Thomas had used cocaine during her pregnancy and shortly after her daughter's birth.
Initially, Maunder denied using the drug and also denied that Thomas had taken cocaine. However, Thomas admitted that Maunder would often take several lines of cocaine at night and confessed to using it herself a couple of days after giving birth. While Thomas has no prior convictions, Maunder has previous convictions for possession of cannabis and assaulting a police officer.
Defending Maunder, Victoria Bastock described it as a very challenging case for all parties involved and a "tragic set of circumstances". "It is a tragedy keenly felt by both defendants," she informed the court. "The loss of Mr Maunder's daughter is something he will never be able to overcome and be reconciled with."
Suspended sentences handed down
His Honour Judge Simon Carr stated that such a young child should never have been exposed to cocaine. "Darcey was entitled to rely on you for her protection. You entirely failed her," he declared. "You allowed your addiction to take precedence over your baby. Not just on the day but in the months of your pregnancy."
Judge Carr observed how visibly distraught Maunder and Thomas had been over the loss of their baby. He suggested that the most likely explanation for Darcey's cocaine ingestion was through breastfeeding. He acknowledged Thomas' post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and how she had used cocaine as a coping mechanism due to her own traumatic childhood, noting that "matters have moved on in a positive way" since Darcey's passing.
Judge Carr also recognised Maunder's remorse and poor mental health following his baby's death. "Nothing I say or do can bring Darcey back or alleviate the pain," he expressed. "Nothing will be achieved three years after the incident by sending you to prison."
He handed Maunder and Thomas suspended sentences of two and a half years, to be served over three years. Both will be required to engage in rehabilitation work with probation services for 12 months, and Thomas will also need to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.
