A 28-year-old Nigerian nurse, Ruth Auta, has been sentenced to three years in prison in the United Kingdom for neglecting her 10-week-old son, Joshua Akerele, who tragically died while she was at work.
On December 20, 2022, Auta left Joshua alone in her accommodation for an eight-hour shift at Royal Bolton Hospital. Upon returning, she found her baby unresponsive in his cot and immediately called emergency services. Despite efforts by paramedics, Joshua passed away an hour later.
An investigation disclosed that Joshua may have overheated due to being wrapped in excessive clothing and bedding. Auta was subsequently charged with child cruelty after CCTV footage and text messages contradicted her claim that the baby was with a nanny during her absence. The nanny also confirmed she hadn’t seen Joshua for several days.
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Auta pleaded guilty to the charge at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on May 24, 2024. However, her sentencing was delayed when she was caught trying to flee to Nigeria with a one-way ticket just weeks later, on June 6. She was detained at Gatwick while attempting to board the flight home.
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