Teenage mother admits causing death of baby daughter due to neglect

Twenty-month-old Asiah Kudi was taken to hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival

(Eddie Mitchell)

A mother has admitted causing the death of her baby in Brighton.

Verphy Kudi’s 20-month-old daughter Asiah Kudi died at an address in the East Sussex city in December 2019.

The infant was taken to Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination and forensic tests found Asiah’s death was the result of neglect.

Kudi, 19, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Lewes Crown Court on Friday morning.

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She had been due to stand trial later this year and remains in custody.

Judge Christine Laing QC told her: “You have heard that before I get to sentence you the defence wants to get a report on your behalf and a doctor will no doubt make arrangements to see you and interview you over the next few weeks.”

She ordered that all social services records relating to the case be disclosed to the defence ahead of sentencing.

Asiah was not on a child protection plan and was not assigned social work services at the time of her death.

A Child Safeguarding Practice Review, formerly known as a Serious Case Review, is underway at the Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership, and Brighton and Hove City Council is conducting an internal review.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said: “We have been deeply saddened by this tragedy.

“The case is currently the subject of criminal proceedings, and the city’s Safeguarding Children Partnership is also conducting a review of the circumstances into the tragic death of this young child.

“We are undertaking an internal review, which will feed into the partnership review.

“We have fully supported the police investigation, and are committed to working with the Partnership in its review and taking learning from this.”

Kudi is due to be sentenced on 28 May.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Wolstenholme, a senior investigating officer at Sussex Police, said: “This was a particularly distressing case for my team and me to investigate, and has caused great sorrow amongst Verphy’s family and the many agencies that have supported Verphy and Asiah.”