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Mum’s frantic screams as baby found dead after ‘slipping down under duvet while sleeping between his parents’
A MUM was heard desperately screaming for help after finding her baby dead between her and her partner in bed, an inquest heard.
Ifan George Torlop, 13 months, had been sleeping between his parents Alana Bailey and Samuel Torlop but had “slipped down the bed and was covered by the duvet” when they woke up on August 2 last year.
Ifan George Torlop was sharing a bed with his mum and dad when he died at home in Loughor, Wales[/caption]
An inquest into his death held at Swansea Guildhall heard how Miss Bailey woke Mr Torlop “screaming” after she noticed their son was “blue in colour” and “didn’t seem right”, Wales Online reports.
An ambulance was called and Mr Torlop was performing CPR when neighbours, who had heard Miss Bailey “screaming ‘help me, help me’” came in to try and help.
One neighbour came into the bedroom and described seeing “a little boy motionless in the bed”.
Paramedics arrived at the property in Heol Maes y Cerrig, in Loughor, but were unable to resuscitate him.
South Wales Police detective constable Ian Wozencroft said officers arrived at the property in Loughor and were informed by paramedics that Ifan had died.
Paramedics arrived at the property in Heol Maes y Cerrig, in Loughor, but were unable to resuscitate Ifan[/caption]
He said: “After a call from the ambulance service police officers were deployed to the scene where a crime scene was identified and assessed.
“They recovered a number of exhibits and officers activated their body-worn cameras. Voluntary urine samples were supplied and two baby bottles.”
The inquest heard how the night before Ifan’s death, Mr Torlop and Miss Bailey visited Mr Torlop’s dad before going back to Miss Bailey’s mum’s house, where the couple spent most of their time.
They had dinner and watched TV as Miss Bailey had “two small glasses of wine” and Mr Torlop had “two bottles of beer”.
At around 10pm they heard Ifan stir on the baby monitor and Mr Torlop went upstairs to feed him and returned to watch TV before the couple went to bed at around 11.15pm.
‘TRAGIC CASE’
A toxicology report found alcohol levels of 81mg per 100ml in Mr Torlop’s urine and 164mg per 100ml in Miss Bailey’s.
The legal drink-drive limit currently stands at 107mg per 100ml.
Reading a statement on behalf of South Wales Police detective inspector Peter Collins, Mr Wozencroft added: “The child displayed no injuries that caused any concern.
“Co-sleeping is known to be unsafe and we know health visitors had warned the parents about these dangers. There was no doubt that the child was cared for, clean, and brought up in a loving environment.”
The inquest heard it was not unusual for Ifan to sleep in bed with his parents as he struggled to settle in his crib having previously suffered from bronchiolitis.
Pathologist Dr Deryk James told the inquest that there “are risks with bed sharing” but there was “no evidence” that Ifan had been laid on while sharing the bed with his parents.
Dr James said: “He was found in the middle of the bed but under the duvet.
“We know sudden infant deaths are more likely to happen when a baby is too warm or in a position that’s not ideal.
“If you are intoxicated you are less aware of the baby’s position.”
Recording an open conclusion, assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Aled Wyn Gruffydd said that while there was no evidence that overlaying or an increased body temperature contributed to Ifan’s death he “can’t exclude it or say that it happened”.
He said: “Ifan was a fit and well boy.
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“He was well cared for, appropriately nourished, and clean. His cause of death was unascertained and there was no evidence of overlaying.
“The consumption of alcohol is a risk when co-sleeping as you are less aware of your baby sleeping.
“This is a tragic case and the parents’ worst nightmare. My deepest condolences go to them.”
