Baby death witness doubts

A CORONER inquiring into the death of an 11-week-old baby, whose bones were fractured and brain was starved of oxygen, has been told the girl’s father’s evidence “lacks believability”.

Charlotte Lukendlay died at the Royal Hobart Hospital on February 25, 2016 — four days after her father Gaurav Endlay found her unresponsive in bed at the family’s unit in the Launceston suburb of Newnham.

Counsel assisting the Coroner, Rebecca Lancaster, on Thursday made final submissions in the inquest into Charlotte’s death, questioning the credibility of Mr Endlay’s evidence, in which he denied his relationship with the girl’s mother Angel Lu was violent and abusive.

Ms Lu had previously told the inquest that Mr Endlay had previously put Charlotte to sleep face down, with tight swaddling tied in a knot around her neck, that he had shouted around the baby and, on one occasion, punched her.

The inquest had heard from medical and forensic specialists, who said Charlotte had rib and clavicle fractures in various stages of healing when she died, and that her death was caused by her brain being starved of oxygen.

Ms Lancaster said inappropriate swaddling, squeezing or someone pressing directly on her chest were all possible causes of the fatal hypoxia, but that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome — or a natural cause — had effectively been ruled out.

Ms Lancaster said Mr Endlay’s evidence, including a claim that Ms Lu never once cooked for him during their relationship of at least eight years, seemed designed to paint him in a good light and her negatively.

“There was a ring of unbelievability throughout his evidence,” Ms Lancaster said.

In contrast, Ms Lancaster said Ms Lu had been a “diligent” mother who “regularly attended required health checks” during Charlotte’s short life.

Mr Endlay and Ms Lu have until May 16 to provide their own closing submissions before Coroner Olivia McTaggart adjourns for findings.

Gaurav Endlay