Latest news with #infanticide
ABC News
18 hours ago
- ABC News
Geraldton mother Monique Burton to be sentenced over newborn baby's body in freezer
WARNING: This story contains distressing details. A woman who secretly gave birth on her lounge room floor put her newborn baby boy in a plastic bag before her partner stored the infant's body in a freezer, a Perth court has been told. Monique Ellen Burton, 35, denied being pregnant and told friends she had a terminal illness, which saw her raise thousands of dollars via a GoFundMe page. The mother, from Geraldton, is set to be sentenced in Perth tomorrow — and her appearance in the Perth District Court today unveiled the horrific circumstances surrounding the baby's birth. The court heard Burton gave birth at home in August 2022 before putting the baby in a plastic garbage bag and hiding it behind the couch. She claims it was stillborn, but police have not been able to determine when or how the baby died. Methamphetamine was detected in the baby's system, the court was told. Burton managed to conceal the fact she had just given birth from her partner Shaun Bradley Balaam, who took her to hospital because she was visibly ill. Once there, she denied giving birth, telling staff she had been menstruating, prosecutor Jehna Winter told the court. When he got home, Balaam found the garbage bag containing the baby — though he said he did not look inside. He told police he suspected it may have been a baby as he knew Burton had a history of concealing pregnancies, and had felt what he suspected was a head when picking up the bag. He put the bag in a chest freezer, under a bag of dog food, the court was told. Burton was meanwhile transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth, where she was "repeatedly asked" about giving birth, but continued to deny she'd been pregnant. A friend then set up a GoFundMe on her behalf claiming she had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Burton had made a minor liver issue "seem worse than it was", and got more than $3,000 in donations, the court heard. However, she was "never diagnosed with a terminal illness," Ms Winter said, and had never undergone dialysis Police became involved once Burton finally revealed to a social worker that the baby was "in the freezer on the back verandah", claiming it had been stillborn. Officers visited the house and found the body of the baby boy, with his legs were crossed, "arms close to his chest" and the umbilical cord still attached. The prosecutor said investigations "couldn't determine cause of death or whether it had taken a first breath". Ms Winter told the court that the boy was "anatomically normal" but methylamphetamine was detected in his system. The court heard Burton could not say why she did not reveal the pregnancy. Her lawyer Anthony Elliott described the concealment as 'amateurish'and said it was 'unlikely there was any sinister intention.' Mr Elliott said she suffered from 'depressive episodes' due to trauma, but "In terms of moral culpability, this is towards the lower end of the scale." Burton had pleaded guilty to interfering with a corpse with intent to prevent an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, and multiple counts of fraud related to the GoFundMe. Earlier, her partner Balaam received a 12-month community based order in Geraldton after admitting improper interference with a corpse. Burton is set to be sentenced on Friday.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- The Sun
Moment dad who murdered newborn by smashing his head against hospital wall calmly smokes cig as docs fought to save tot
Monster beat premature son to death to avoid being separated from his partner PURE EVIL Moment dad who murdered newborn by smashing his head against hospital wall calmly smokes cig as docs fought to save tot THIS is the chilling moment a dad who murdered his two-week-old son casually went outside to smoke a cigarette as medics battled to save the tot's life. Daniel Gunter, 25, inflicted catastrophic injuries on his young son, Brendon, akin to falling from a high-rise building, after smashing his head against a wall in a hospital's special baby unit. Advertisement 8 The monster casually went to smoke after inflicting devastating injuries to the tot Credit: Unpixs 8 Baby Brendon suffered injuries akin to falling from a high-rise building Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 8 Daniel Gunter was found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son Credit: PA 8 He blamed the young baby for leaving him alone and struck him with devastating consequences Credit: PA Gunter was today convicted of murder, while the baby's mother Sophie Staddon, 20, was found not guilty of causing or allowing harm to her son at Yeovil District Hospital in March 2024. A jury at Bristol Crown Court heard during the three week trial how Brendon had been born seven weeks prematurely. But his condition improved and he was ready to be discharged to a mother and baby unit as they had no permanent home to go to. On March 5, self-centred Daniel feared that he would be separated from the woman who he had controlled throughout their two-year relationship. Advertisement He blamed the young baby for leaving him alone and struck him with devastating consequences. Pretending to be cuddling his son, Gunter is thought to have slammed the fragile baby's body against a brick wall while holding onto his ankles. His head was crushed so as to shatter his skull and he had a broken neck, jaw, legs, ankles and wrists. Medical staff scooped up his limp and lifeless body and carried him to the resuscitation area a few paces from where he lay. Advertisement Doctors and nurses tried desperately to do everything they could but Brendon did not respond. Dr Roger Malcolmson, a consultant paediatric and pathologist said that the damage equated to someone falling from a high-rise building or a high impact car crash The jury was told how the young couple had met shortly after Staddon had left foster care and they had an on-off relationship and on occasion Mr Gunter would be violent towards Ms Staddon. In the days after Brendon's birth in February 2024, the couple were regularly at his bedside in the special care baby unit at Yeovil District Hospital. Advertisement Mother Jailed for Abusing and Killing Four-Month-Old Daughter It was there they were told by social workers that the baby was going to be taken into care when he was well enough to leave. Nurses were aware of emotional tensions between Staddon and Gunter in the days after Brendon's birth. One of the nurses noted how Gunter would take Brendon out of his incubator without asking anyone as he was supposed to do. And on another occasion, Staddon was found crying and saying she didn't want to be with Gunter anymore. Advertisement In the hours before Brendon's death, nurses had had to console Staddon who was crying and she explained she was upset because Gunter had told her that he was not the father. Throughout the evening of March 4, the couple continued arguing over whether Gunter was Brendon's real father and at one point Ms Staddon was heard shouting: 'Just go leave me alone.' After Gunter had killed the tot, footage showed him casually smoking a cigarette outside the hospital before police rushed up to arrest him. Staddon could be heard saying: 'No my baby's dead. You're telling me my baby's dead. I didn't kill my baby. It's his dad. It wouldn't be me. It would be his dad.' Advertisement The prosecution claimed that Gunter's actions were born of frustration, rage and insecurity of not knowing if he was the father. He was angry that Brendon was the reason why he and Staddon might be forced to live separately. Gunter had come to the realisation that Brendon had the potential at least to be the focus of Staddon's life, pushing him to the margins. The detective leading the inquiry into Brendon death said the murder of the two-week-old baby would stay with her for the rest of her life. Advertisement 8 He was angry that Brendon was the reason why he and Staddon might be forced to live separately Credit: Unpixs 8 In the hours before Brendon's death, nurses had had to console Staddon Credit: Jon Rowley 8 The prosecution claimed that Gunter's actions were born of frustration, rage and insecurity Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Det Insp Nadine Partridge said: 'I've never, in my 22 years experience seen injuries like this to a child. Advertisement 'It's unimaginable to me, causing harm to a child of any age but a precious two week old premature baby - it will still stay with me for the rest of my life. 'The only comfort I can take out of any of this is that he died very quickly. 'There was nothing the staff could have done. 'You wouldn't imagine something like this happening in a hospital, and it is difficult to explain how it has happened. Advertisement 'But what I can say about the staff, the nurses, the midwives, is they did everything they could to support Sophie and Daniel and Brendon, as did social services. 'Safeguards were put in place around Brendon and you just never would have thought that such significant physical harm would come to a child. 'The individual staff have been absolutely amazing. 'The trauma they must have suffered to be there then and having to try to revive Brandon despite his obvious injuries must have been terrible. Advertisement "It was obvious that he was unlikely to survive, yet they still tried.' She added: 'Gunter always came across as very selfish and self-centered. 'He didn't say anything during the police interview and didn't give evidence at trial. Advertisement 'There was just no emotion from him whatsoever. 'Sophie had many vulnerabilities, and was certainly controlled by him to the point of him telling her what to eat and when to smoke.'
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Father found guilty of murdering premature baby son in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a special care baby unit. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate him. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner, Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. ADVERTISEMENT A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. Daniel Gunter will be sentenced on a later date for murdering his baby son Brendon (Avon and Somerset Police/PA) The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. Remanding Gunter into custody, the judge told him: 'Daniel Gunter you have been found guilty of murder. You will be remanded into custody pending the sentencing hearing. 'Sophie Staddon you have been acquitted by the jury. Your bail will no longer be necessary and you are free to go.' The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. ADVERTISEMENT Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking Row said before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. ADVERTISEMENT When Brendon was born on February 20 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress, and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his baby grow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. ADVERTISEMENT The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement,' Mr Row said. He told the jury the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.' Gunter was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court (Alamy/PA) Following the verdict, Brendon's grandfather Simon Gunter said: '[Brendon] was born early and was so tiny, but so beautiful. He was just perfect. Despite his early arrival, he was a little fighter and proved his strength in the very short life he had. 'As a family, we were so happy and excited. We had bought clothes, toys and supplies in preparation for his arrival and we all had exciting plans for the future. 'But we have been robbed of a life of memories of Brendon. We won't get to see his first steps, hear his first words, take him on his first holiday, and see him grow into a young boy then a man. We will never have those memories. They have been taken from us and he will never be replaced. 'I hope Daniel gets what he deserves for what he did to Brendon but, whatever the outcome, it will never bring him back. 'Today some justice has been served, but we still have many unanswered questions.' Detective Chief Inspector Nadine Partridge, who led the investigation, said: 'The injuries that Brendon sustained were catastrophic and there wasn't a part of his body which wasn't bruised or broken. 'It breaks my heart to see someone do such vicious things to a poor, innocent child who had his whole life ahead of him. 'Brendon was failed in life. In death, justice is the only protection we can still offer him. 'Cases where both the victim and the defendant are related in some way are among the most challenging for us as police. I would like to firstly give my condolences to Brendon's grandparents and their wider family, who we have supported through specialist family liaison officers. 'This investigation has been long and complex, with the involvement of officers from several different departments and professionals from outside agencies. 'I would like to recognise the efforts of everyone involved in this case, it has been a true team effort to bring the case before the courts and I am immensely proud of each and every person involved in this investigation.'
The Independent
24-07-2025
- The Independent
Father found guilty of murdering premature baby son in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a neonatal ward. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on 5 March 2024. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate the baby. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner, Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts, and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. He was remanded into custody. The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking outside. Mr Row said that before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. When Brendon was born on 20 February 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his babygrow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them that the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement,' Mr Row said. He told the jury that the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.'
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Father, 27, guilty of murdering two-week-old son while newborn was in hospital
A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son in a special care baby unit. Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted 'catastrophic injuries' to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. Brendon was found in his cot at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard that after inflicting the fatal injuries which left his son's head 'crushed', Gunter walked out of the hospital for a cigarette, leaving nurses desperately attempting to resuscitate him. Gunter was convicted of murder following a three-week trial. His former partner Sophie Staddon, 23, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child. A female juror was visibly upset as the foreman returned the verdicts and as she wiped tears away, she was comforted by two fellow jury members. The jury previously found Staddon not guilty of murder and cleared Gunter of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift. The defendants showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Gunter, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. Remanding Gunter into custody, the judge told him: 'Daniel Gunter, you have been found guilty of murder. 'You will be remanded into custody pending the sentencing hearing. 'Sophie Staddon, you have been acquitted by the jury. 'Your bail will no longer be necessary and you are free to go.' The trial heard hospital staff had discovered Brendon's injuries after Staddon told nurses her son was cold and asked them to check on him. Charles Row KC, prosecuting, said: 'Staff found him lying in his cot with his baby grow open. 'They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries. 'In plain language, his head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe, with deep scratches in his neck. 'He was later found to have, amongst other injuries, a broken neck, a broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.' The prosecution said staff carried his 'limp, lifeless body' to the resuscitation area, but Brendon did not respond to treatment. The jury heard Gunter and Staddon were arrested by the police while smoking outside. Mr Row said that before Brendon died, social services and Gunter's family were worried about the 'lack of emotional warmth' the couple showed their child. When Brendon was born on February 20 2024, attempts were made to persuade Staddon to stay in the hospital, but she went back to the temporary accommodation she shared with Gunter. While in hospital, Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses, taking Brendon out of the incubator without asking, overstimulating the child to the point of causing him distress and removing his nasal gastric tube. Family members had witnessed Gunter shouting and getting angry at Brendon while visiting them in hospital and would handle him roughly. Louise Besica, Gunter's aunt, said: 'I felt like he had no patience. He was really rough with him with how he was putting him in his babygrow.' Mr Row said the jury needed to understand the 'sheer brutality' involved in the death. A post-mortem examination found Brendon died of 'blunt force impact(s) head injury' with multiple non-accidental injuries to the head. The court also heard the pair had an 'on, off' relationship, with Gunter described as being 'violent' towards his partner, controlling her finances and who she could talk to. A social worker visited the couple in January 2024, telling them that the authorities were planning to remove the baby from their care when he was born. Mr Row said: 'The authorities were concerned about many things, including their precarious housing situation, the way Mr Gunter appeared to control Ms Staddon and her finances, Ms Staddon's physical and mental health and their lack of engagement.' He told the jury the couple showed no emotion at the news. Gunter told officers: 'At no stage did I do anything to Brendon that could have caused him any injury. 'I was with Sophie the whole time and she didn't do anything either.' In a separate statement, Gunter said: 'I would never hurt my baby boy.' Staddon told police: 'I had done nothing to harm Brendon at all. I love him. He was my everything. I would not have harmed him.'
