Seven-month-old baby dies in squalid Stoke-on-Trent home
- Ronnie Higginson died at seven months old after being exposed to 'monkey dust' and not receiving medical attention.
- Social services had prior knowledge of the family's situation, including concerns about the parents' drug use and living conditions.
- Both parents were convicted of child cruelty in October 2022, highlighting systemic failures in protecting the child.
Ronnie Higginson, a seven-month-old baby, died on November 26, 2019, in a neglected home in Stoke-on-Trent. His parents, Kayleigh Clarke and Michael Higginson, failed to seek medical help despite Ronnie struggling to breathe and not eating. An inquest revealed that the baby had been exposed to the psychoactive drug 'monkey dust', which increased the risk of cot death. Social services were already involved with the family due to previous concerns, including Clarke's concealment of her pregnancies. Helen Hawkins, an agency social worker, visited the family shortly before Ronnie's death and noted the appalling living conditions, including a potty that appeared to contain vomit. She expressed her concerns to senior social care members, suggesting that the case required legal advice. Unfortunately, her warnings went unheeded, and she left the authority shortly after submitting her report. Detective Inspector Gina Pope confirmed that the drugs found on Michael Higginson during his arrest were similar to those that Ronnie had been exposed to. Both parents admitted to being regular drug users but denied giving drugs to their children. The inquest highlighted the severe neglect and the lack of intervention from social services, which ultimately contributed to the tragic outcome. In October 2022, both parents were convicted of child cruelty, with Clarke receiving a 27-month prison sentence and Higginson a 15-month suspended sentence. The case raises significant questions about the effectiveness of social services and the protection of vulnerable children in similar situations.