Coroner delivers verdict after death of 'neglected' baby exposed to monkey dust

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A coroner has delivered an open verdict into the death of a 'neglected' seven-week-old baby exposed to monkey dust. Medical tests have failed to ascertain exactly how Ronnie Higginson died in a car seat at his family's Cobridge home.

But his parents - Kayleigh Clarke and Michael Higginson - were both convicted of charges of child cruelty with neglect following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after failing to take Ronnie to hospital in the days prior to his death. Clarke was handed a 27-month prison sentence - with Higginson dodging jail.

An inquest has heard the family had five different social workers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council in a chaotic three-month period before tragedy struck on November 26, 2019. The council's children's services was rated inadequate at the time.

READ MORE:Council chaos as 'cruel' parents had FIVE social workers before baby death

READ MORE:Police statement after baby boy dies in 'squalid Stoke-on-Trent home'

StokeonTrentLive has approached Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a statement.

Instead a Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Partnership spokesperson said: “Following the tragic death of Ronnie Higginson and in accordance with statutory guidance, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Board undertook a rapid review. The lessons from this review have been applied across all agencies to ensure children are protected now and in the future. Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Partnership remain committed to promoting good quality inter-agency working to protect the wellbeing of children and young people within the city. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Ronnie today.”

Staffordshire Police secured the convictions of Clarke and Higginson.

A police spokesman said: "Ronnie Higginson’s death was tragic and our thoughts remain with his family and friends."

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