RUTH AUTA: NIGERIAN NURSE WHO LEFT HER 10-WEEK-OLD BABY TO DIE WHILE SHE WENT TO WORK JAILED IN THE UK FOR THREE YEARS AFTER BEING CAUGHT TRYING TO FLEE TO NIGERIA
A Nigerian working as a nurse in the United Kingdom, 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, reports Daily Mail
The 28-year-old single mother had reportedly left Joshua alone in her nurse’s accommodation for eight hours on December 20, 2022, to complete her shift.
On returning, she discovered her son lifeless in his cot and immediately called 999, reporting that he was not breathing.
The infant died an hour after the ambulance arrived despite resuscitation efforts. Tests revealed that he might have overheated due to excessive layers of clothing and bedding.
Auta, 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.
On June 6, while attempting to board a flight to Nigeria, she was apprehended at Gatwick Airport with a one-way ticket.
However, 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.
Giving her judgement, 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.”
Prosecutors said she left her nurse’s accommodation shortly after 6.30am to carry out her shift, leaving Joshua behind.
At 3.24pm Auta called for an ambulance reporting that her son was not breathing.
Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Joshua could not be saved and was pronounced dead at 4.40pm.
Experts could not confirm the exact cause of Joshua’s death as he was said to be a ‘healthy baby in all respects’.
An inquest into Joshua’s death was opened and adjourned in Bolton in January.
@ Daily Mail
@ Punch Newspaper
