Latest news with #childdeath
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Evil mum who violently shook four-month-old baby daughter to death in horrific campaign of abuse is jailed
AN EVIL mum who violently shook her four-month-old baby daughter to death in a horrific campaign of abuse has been jailed for 15 years. Melissa Wilband, 28, had denied killing little Lexi Wilband, who died from a bleed on the brain. 4 4 Bristol Crown Court was told the baby collapsed at home in Newent in the Forest of Dean and died six days later. Lexi had suffered a bleed on the brain that was likely caused by someone "shaking her violently" on more than one occasion. Wilband was convicted of manslaughter in April following a trial before being sentenced today. Her boyfriend at the time, Jack Wheeler, was also charged with manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child. But the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence for the manslaughter charge and he was cleared of the second count. The court heard Lexi was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where Wilband claimed she was in her bouncer chair when she cried, went floppy then stopped breathing. The baby was then transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital where the decision was made to switch off her life support. Jane Osborne KC, prosecuting, said: "Ms Wilband knew that Lexi might die during the night but she didn't stay by her bedside. "A staff nurse held Lexi's hand through the night and remained with her. "On the morning of April 18, Lexi seemed to have longer pauses in her breathing. Ms Wilband was told to attend the ward. "She arrived just after Lexi had ceased to show any signs of life and had stopped breathing." The court was told Wilband had told Wheeler, 31, throughout her pregnancy that he was Lexi's biological dad. But she had actually conceived the baby in early 2019 when she and Wheeler were not together. Ms Osborne said: "When Melissa Wilband was still pregnant with Lexi, following some queries about the paternity, she presented a document which purported to be a paternity test. "It declared that Jack Wheeler was the father of the unborn baby. This was obviously not a genuine document. "The most obvious fact was the fact that the word 'father' was spelt 'farther' which would have been obvious to anybody who knew how to spell it properly. "Looking at that document exacerbated concerns of Jack Wheeler and his parents. Very soon after Lexi was born, Jack Wheeler ensured that Melissa Wilband submitted samples for a proper test. "The genuine test showed that he was not the father of Lexi. After the results of this, Mr Wheeler and Ms Wilband nearly split up but Ms Wilband persuaded Mr Wheeler that he should stay with her." Jurors heard Wheeler moved in with Wilband during the Covid lockdown in February 2020. The couple, described as regular cocaine users, lived in squalor with every kitchen surface covered in food and utensils. On April 12, 2020, Wilband phoned emergency crews, with paramedics finding Lexi unresponsive on the floor when they arrived. While paramedics asked her questions, the mum rolled cigarettes and used her mobile. When she was asked if she would like to hold her daughter before she was intubated, Wilband declined, the court heard. In a prepared statement, Wheeler told police that Lexi "suddenly stopped crying and went floppy in his arms". A post-mortem gave Lexi's cause of death as bleeding to the brain, caused by a non-accidental traumatic event such as someone "shaking her violently". Further tests found the areas of bleeding in Lexi's eyes were "too numerous to count", jurors heard. Detective Inspector Adam Stacey said: 'Lexi was four-and-a-half months old when she died. "Melissa Wilband inflicted such serious injuries that were sadly to prove fatal and tragically Lexi passed away six days later, despite the best efforts of all the medical staff who tried to save her. "Further medical evidence showed that Lexi had suffered at least one other episode of shaking at some point before this one. "Wilband told lie after lie after lie - right from Lexi's conception, and all the way throughout the pregnancy. These lies continued and were made to medical professionals trying to save Lexi's life, to the police, and all the way through to her giving evidence in court. "The jury saw those lies for what they were. "Lexi should be five years old now with her whole future ahead of her. She was shaken by someone who should have been protecting her. "Someone who should have put her safety and wellbeing above everything else, her mother. Wilband did not do those things and in fact did the exact opposite. She now faces the consequences of her actions." 4 4
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Minehead school bus crash latest: One child killed and 21 injured after coach carrying pupils overturns in Somerset
A child has died after a school coach carrying children and staff home from an end of term trip flipped onto its roof and slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset. The coach was travelling back to nearby Minehead Middle School with about 60 to 70 passengers on board on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon when the incident took place. A local resident said the coach had gone off the road and down a 20-foot slope. Avon and Somerset Police said on Thursday evening that a child had died following the incident. Speaking outside Bridgwater Police Centre, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: 'A number of other people have presented or been taken to hospital, some with serious injuries. 'This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance, many passengers either sustained minor injuries or were physically unharmed and were transferred to a rest centre. 'Work to help them return to Minehead has been taking place throughout the evening. An investigation into the cause of this incident will be carried out.' Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement on X, saying 'there are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child'. In pictures: Emergency services in Somerset after crash Tom Watling18 July 2025 05:01 Prime minister to be 'kept up to date' after child dies in school coach crash The prime minister said he is being kept up to date after a child died when a school coach carrying children and staff home from an end of term trip slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset. The coach was travelling back to nearby Minehead Middle School with about 60 to 70 passengers on board.21 people were taken to hospital, including several who have suffered serious injuries. The road will stay shut overnight, Avon and Somerset Police Keir Starmer said in a post on X: "A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset. "There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. "Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation." Namita Singh18 July 2025 04:30 Local MP issues full statement Local MP Rachel Gilmour has issued a full statement following the tragic death of a child after a school bus crashed in Somerset. You can read her full statement below. Tom Watling18 July 2025 04:00 Dozens of ambulance vehicles attend the scene Twenty-one people have been taken to hospital after the coach crash, the press conference was told last night. Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations for the South Western Ambulance Service said: 'We declared a major incident that has since been stood down. 'We sent 46 resources to the scene, including 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. 'We treated several patients at the scene and conveyed 21 patients to hospital via land and by air.' Tom Watling18 July 2025 03:02 Starmer issues statement on 'heartbreaking' crash Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to the school child who was killed in a car crash yesterday in Somerset. Tom Watling18 July 2025 01:01 Education secretary pays tribute to child killed in school bus crash The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, described the fatal school coach crash in Minehead as 'heartbreaking.' 'It is heartbreaking to hear that a child has died and others are seriously injured following the incident in Minehead earlier today', she said in a post on X. 'My thoughts are with their friends and families, and all those affected by this tragic event.' Tom Watling18 July 2025 00:27 One child dead after school bus crash in Somerset Tom Watling17 July 2025 23:56 Police confirm child died after Minehead bus crash Tom Watling17 July 2025 23:00 Angela Rayner issues statement on Somerset crash Tom Watling17 July 2025 22:44 Mapped: Where did the crash take place? Below, you can see a map detailing where the crash took place. Tom Watling17 July 2025 22:30
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Two Green Bay men arrested for alleged connection with two-year-old boy's suspicious death
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Green Bay Police Department says it arrested two Green Bay men on Friday, believed to be connected with a child's death on June 24. According to the release, officers were dispatched to an Alpine Drive residence on Sunday, June 22, around 9:15 a.m. on a report of a two-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries. The child was treated at a local hospital before being transferred to another medical facility for further aid. The boy died from his injuries on June 24. Police in Wisconsin increase enforcement following 'takeovers' at public beaches On Friday, June 27, , Forest and Marinette County officials in the arrest of a 21-year-old man and a 48-year-old man who are suspected to be connected to the death, which is considered suspicious. No additional details are available. Local 5 will provide updates when more information is available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Leo Escalante case: James Vanderleest officially charged with homicide in toddler's death
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Nearly a month after a 2-year-old's suspicious death, a 21-year-old Green Bay man was officially charged with homicide. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 21-year-old James Vanderleest was charged with . The Green Bay Police Department identified the child as Leo Escalante. On June 22, officers were called to a residence on Alpine Drive for a report of a child who was not breathing. The mother of the child was reportedly driving the child to the hospital but pulled over so someone could do CPR. Flooding causes major delays in Wautoma as storms move through area Authorities spoke with James' father, who said he was the only one at the residence. Which was later debunked, and James admitted to being home alone with the child. The child was later airlifted to a hospital, where he died from his injuries on June 23. On June 23 authorities spoke with the child's doctor, who said the injuries were not consistent with a fall down the stairs. James claimed that he left to get toilet paper and came back to find the child at the bottom of the stairs. On June 24, authorities met with the child's mother who wanted to provide the 'full' story of what happened on June 22. She reportedly said she left the residence and got a call from James saying the child was not breathing. She reportedly told authorities that the child was not a fan of James. On June 27, both James and his father . Two days later on June 29 authorities spoke with James. He claimed he left to grab a roll of toilet paper and was gone for maybe a minute. When he came back, he found the child unconscious, James told authorities. When detectives asked him why he didn't call 9-1-1, James reportedly said he panicked and thought the child's mother had called 9-1-1. James continued to deny that he harmed or injured the child. After detectives told James that the child's injuries were not consistent with him falling down the stairs, he said 'nothing else happened,' according to the complaint. Later that day, detectives spoke with James again. Authorities reportedly explained to James that the injuries appear to be consistent with shaking baby. Mail carrier accused of stealing Menards rebates bound for Wisconsin enters guilty plea James reportedly said he did not make any mistakes and is telling the truth. In the complaint, James mentioned multiple times to authorities that he had a no-contact order with the mother of the child, and that played a role in some of his actions. James is charged with: First degree reckless homicide Felony Up to 60 years in prison Obstructing an officer Misdemeanor Up to nine months in prison Bail jumping (four felony counts) Felony Up to six years in prison (per count) Bail jumping (two misdemeanor counts) Misdemeanor Up to nine months in prison (per count) Court records show Vanderleest was in court on July 16 for his initial appearance. His cash bonds is at $2,050,000. He is scheduled to be back in court on August 16. No additional information was provided. Local 5 will update this story as the case progresses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Prime Minister to be ‘kept up to date' after child dies in school coach crash
The Prime Minister said he is being kept up to date after a child died when a school coach carrying children and staff home from an end of term trip slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset. The coach was travelling back to nearby Minehead Middle School with about 60 to 70 passengers on board. 21 people were taken to hospital, including several who have suffered serious injuries. The road will stay shut overnight, Avon and Somerset Police said. Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: 'A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset. 'There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. 'Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace — I'm being kept up to date on this situation.' An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately, a press conference on Thursday evening heard. The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said. Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment. 'This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly as safely as possible.' Emergency services declared a major incident, with 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances and eight fire engines sent to the scene. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: 'It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit. 'A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this terrible accident. 'Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected.' A resident who lives near the crash scene described the incident as 'horrendous'. The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: 'The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach. 'There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it. 'I can't believe it happened, quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope. 'It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.' A local coach operator, which owns the bus, said it had been liaising with the school and the emergency services.
