Mother admits manslaughter of baby boy who drowned in bath after ‘seat error’

Martin Sharpe, defending, told the court the mum accepted it was ‘her fault the seat was not properly affixed to the bath’

Seven-month-old Charlie Goodall died in hospital after being found unresponsive in the bath at his home in Chilton, County Durham, in February 2022 (Durham Constabulary/PA) (PA Media)

A mother has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her baby boy who drowned in the bath.

Danielle Massey, 31, also admitted possession of cannabis on the day her seven-month-old son Charlie Goodall died at their home in County Durham in February 2022.

The defence said the baby drowned after a bath seat was not secured properly.

Prosecutor Richard Wright KC told the Sheffield Crown Court hearing: “There is acceptance of a prolonged period of inattention during which this child died.”

Charlie was found unresponsive in the bath when police were called by paramedics to a house in West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, on February 16 2022.

He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died shortly after arrival.

Martin Sharpe, defending, told the court Massey accepted it was “her fault the seat was not properly affixed to the bath”.

“She should have affixed it to a flat bath, hers is concave, the suction pad wouldn’t properly work. This caused her child to tip over and then drown,” Mr Sharpe said.

The case was adjourned until July 26 to determine whether a Newton hearing is needed over the basis of Massey’s guilty plea.