Nurse jailed in Bolton after baby dies alone at home

Ruth Auta, a 28-year-old nurse, was sentenced to three years in prison after her 10-week-old son, Joshua Akerele, died from being left alone at home for over eight hours. On December 20, 2022, Auta left her baby at her nurses' accommodation at the Royal Bolton Hospital shortly after 6:30 AM and returned home alone at 3:13 PM. She called for an ambulance later that day, claiming her son was unresponsive, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. The court proceedings revealed that Auta had initially misled police about her childcare arrangements, stating she had collected Joshua from a childminder. However, CCTV footage contradicted her claims, showing her leaving without the baby. Messages on her phone indicated she had attempted to manipulate the childminder into providing false information to the authorities. Despite being a trained nurse, Auta's actions demonstrated a severe neglect of her parental responsibilities. The court noted that no conclusive cause of death was determined, although overheating due to excessive clothing and bedding was suggested as a possibility. Auta's lack of remorse and her attempt to flee the country before sentencing highlighted her disregard for the consequences of her actions. The case has raised significant concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers. The Crown Prosecution Service emphasized the tragic nature of Joshua's death and the impact on those affected, underscoring the importance of accountability in such cases.