Toddler allegedly shaken to death suffered ear bruising before injury

In January 2024, in Darlington, County Durham, a one-year-and-ten-month-old toddler named Charlie Roberts suffered a tragic non-survivable head injury while in the care of his mother's partner, Christopher Stockton. At the time of the incident, Charlie's mother, Paula Roberts, had stepped out for an eye test, leaving Stockton responsible for the boy. The hearing at Teesside Crown Court revealed that a day prior to the incident, Charlie was seen with bruising on his ear, raising serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding his injuries. The court heard from Dr. Deborah Stalker, a pediatrician who specializes in child protection. She examined photographs of Charlie and concluded that the bruised ear was not the result of an accidental fall or sleep-walking, as suggested by Paula Roberts. Dr. Stalker stated that ear injuries typically require a direct force to cause bruising, which is not consistent with the injuries typically sustained during domestic tumbles, either while awake or asleep. Her expert testimony indicated that this type of injury is very rarely accidental, particularly in young children. Paula Roberts had communicated to her brother just before the tragic event that Charlie had sustained bruising due to an incident where he lay down in a toy box while sleep-walking. However, Dr. Stalker refuted this explanation and described the bruising on Charlie’s ear as a purposefully inflicted injury. The implications of Dr. Stalker's findings have brought to light serious questions about the care provided by Stockton, who has denied charges of murder and child neglect in relation to Charlie's death. Paula Roberts also faces charges of child neglect, which she denies, connected to the injuries Charlie allegedly endured. The relationship between Charlie’s mother and Stockton had lasted for approximately ten months before the tragedy unfolded. The measure of neglect and the causes behind Charlie’s fatal head injury are under scrutiny now as the court proceedings continue. The devastating nature of this incident has shocked the community, prompting concerns about child safety and welfare in environments where caregivers may not be biological parents. The case remains ongoing, with a focus on revealing the truth behind the tragic events that led to the untimely death of young Charlie Roberts.