Inquest: Baby Who Fell From Change Table Had Unusual Injuries

An inquest has heard that the five-month-old boy whose carer at the time said he fell from a change table was found to have cerebral swelling and anal injuries.

ABC reported that Michael Smedley died in July 26, 2012 in Alice Springs while in the care of the friends of his mother, Tayla Smedley — Tamara Cole and Oliver Deighton. However, four years later, still, no one has been charged with his death.

The inquest, which began on Tuesday, heard that Mr Deighton said Michael began jerking and hiccupping after he fell off the change table he was in as he gave a set of keys to a friend.

Kelvin Currie, an attorney assisting the coroner, told the court that Mr Deighton saw the baby falling headfirst to the ground but was able to catch him. He added that after an hour, Mr Deighton retrieved Michael after Ms Cole came home, but noticed he was not breathing and his body had become limp.

Michael was pronounced dead just after 4pm over six hours after Mr Deighton said he fell.

The inquest also heard that Michael showed symptoms of shaken baby syndrome, such as haemorrhaging on his eyes and swelling on his brain, but blood was also found in his nappy and a swab from his underpants appeared to show sperm.

ABC reported that initial reports say Michael died from being shaken violently, but paediatric forensic physician Dr Terry Donald told police in 2013 he did not believe Michael was abused and said the cause of death should be open. However, Dr Donald seemed to have changed his mind when he told the inquest, he believed Michael died from trauma. There were also at least 26 bruises on his body, as well as cerebral swelling and anal injuries.

However, a forensic biologist told the inquest that the swab containing what appeared to be sperm could not be linked to Mr Deighton because the sample had not been prepared properly and a sperm could not be seen two weeks later.

The coronial inquest continues.

Sources: Dailymail.co.uk and Kidspot.com.au

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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