Tragic Death of Football Legend's Grandson Linked to Unsafe Sleeping Advice
The grandson of Manchester United icon and football manager Steve Bruce died after being placed in an unsafe sleeping position by an unregulated maternity nurse, a coroner's inquest has heard. Four-month-old Madison Bruce Smith was found unresponsive by his father, former Leeds United and Fulham striker Matt Smith, on the morning of October 18, 2024.
Family's Trust in Unqualified Care Provider
Madison's parents, Matt Smith and Amy Bruce (Steve Bruce's daughter), had employed Eva Clements through Ruthie Maternity Services after their son experienced difficulties sleeping during afternoons. They believed Ms Clements was skilled, fully trained, and properly vetted, and that the company represented a well-established maternity and sleep support service. However, Stockport Coroner's Court heard that neither the individual nor the company was subject to any regulatory oversight.
Ruth Asare, the head of Ruthie Maternity Services, revealed she possessed no medical qualifications, holding only a first aid certificate and a Level 2 diploma in post-natal care obtained from a brief three-day course and a six-month coursework project. Ms Clements stated she had a degree in early years education but admitted she similarly lacked any formal medical training.
Contrary to NHS Safe Sleep Guidance
The inquest was told that Madison's parents would never have considered placing their son to sleep in the prone position had it not been for the advice of the maternity nurse. Ms Clements reportedly informed them that all four of her own children had slept on their stomachs without issue. This advice directly contradicts established safe sleeping guidance from the NHS and health professionals, which mandates that young babies who cannot turn themselves over should be placed on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death.
Senior coroner for south Manchester, Alison Mutch, recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "Madison died in circumstances where his death could not be ascertained while asleep in his cot having been placed in a prone and unsafe sleeping position." She emphasized that the "purported expertise" of untrained individuals poses a significant risk to all children where such unregulated services are utilized.
Coroner Calls for Regulation of Maternity Services
Issuing a prevention of future deaths report to the Secretary of State for Health, Coroner Mutch expressed hope that maternity services could be properly regulated. "Going forward, parents should not be left in a situation where they believe they are employing someone who is qualified to advise them when they are clearly unqualified," she stated. She highlighted the concerning reality that, while the title 'registered nurse' is strictly controlled, the term 'nurse' alone is not, potentially creating an illusion of highly trained expertise.
The court heard that Ms Clements, who slept in a separate room, was responsible for checking on Madison. Despite the baby being heard stirring and crying via a monitor during the night, she did not enter his nursery.
Family's Anguish and Call for Action
Madison's parents, along with Steve Bruce and his son, former footballer Alex Bruce, attended the hearing. In a statement read to the court, Matt Smith described his son as their "precious, perfect little boy" and said the loss had been "utterly excruciating" and had "totally shattered our entire family."
He asserted, "We believe that Madison died in a complete regulatory vacuum. Without regulation this will happen again and other parents will place trust in individuals who should not be in the care of infants." At the time of the tragedy, Steve Bruce was managing Blackpool FC and missed the club's subsequent match, describing it as "the worst time of my family's entire lives."
Investigation and Company Practices
Greater Manchester Police conducted an investigation, arresting Eva Clements on suspicion of neglect. Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Matthew Dixon explained that the Crown Prosecution Service determined the criminal threshold had not been met, largely due to the unregulated nature of such services and the fact that placing a baby on its front is not illegal. It could not be established that Ms Clements acted with intent to harm.
The inquest also examined the practices of Ruthie Maternity Services. The company's website invites visitors to 'Hire a Ruthie Maternity Nurse' and 'Become a Ruthie Maternity Nurse,' promoting the achievement of "the perfect routine for your family." The court heard the company trained individuals via one-day courses costing £450. While Ruth Asare claimed she taught safe back-sleeping advice, Eva Clements testified she was instructed by Ms Asare to place babies on their tummies.
Ms Clements denied telling Madison's mother she was a nurse and refuted suggestions she had convinced the family the prone position was appropriate. When asked if she recalled the mother's final instruction to wake her if any problem arose, Ms Clements replied, "No, I don't remember that."
