A Nigerian working as a nurse in the United Kingdom (UK), Ruth Auta, has been sentenced to three years in prison for neglecting her ten-week-old baby, Joshua Akerele, who died while she was at work.
According to Daily Mail, the single mother who is in her late twenties, had reportedly left Joshua alone in her nurse’s accommodation for eight hours on December 20, 2022, to complete her shift.
Upon returning, she discovered her son lifeless in his cot and immediately called 999, reporting that he was not breathing.
Despite resuscitation efforts, the infant died an hour after the ambulance arrived. Tests revealed that he might have overheated due to excessive layers of clothing and bedding.
The Nigerian nurse, who worked at Royal Bolton Hospital, was charged with cruelty to a child.
She pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on May 24, 2024. Her sentencing was delayed by a month.
While attempting to board a flight to Nigeria on June 6, Auta was apprehended at Gatwick Airport with a one-way ticket.
She had told the police she had collected Joshua from a childminder, fed him, and then fell asleep with him on her bed. She claimed she found him unresponsive upon waking.
But, CCTV footage and incriminating text messages contradicted her story.
The footage showed Auta leaving and returning to her accommodation without Joshua, and texts revealed she had instructed her childminder to falsely state she was caring for Joshua that day.
The childminder later confirmed she had not seen the baby for several days.
District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, Sara Davie, stated: “Ruth Auta failed to provide the care her baby needed and chose to leave him alone.
“As a nurse, she should have been aware of the dangers of leaving her child unattended. Her attempts to evade justice further demonstrate her lack of remorse.”
Photo: Greater Manchester Police