Inquest fails to find cause of baby’s death

THE inquest into the death of a newborn baby who died after falling asleep with her father was unable to determine a cause of death.

Milani Evelyn Louise McKay was 17 days old when she died at Royal Blackburn Hospital in the early hours of March 8, 2017.

Born on February 19, 2017, Milani had been living with her parents, Madison and Chloe McKay, in a static caravan home on Canal Way in Altham.

The inquest, held at Preston Coroner’s Court, heard how Milani had settled down and fallen asleep on her father’s chest after he had bottle-fed her at around midnight.

Baby Milani was found in a ‘collapsed state’ by her mother at around 5am on March 8.

An ambulance crew was called and attempted CPR and Milani was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

A statement from her father was read out at the hearing by area coroner Richard Taylor.

It read: “I always did the midnight feed. Milani got settled and closed her eyes.

“I don’t remember anything until her mother woke me in the morning.

“I took her in my arms and I could tell she wasn’t right. There were no complications during pregnancy and she seemed happy and healthy.”

Forensic pathologist Dr Philip Lumb said Milani had previously been prescribed medication for Colic, although no other significant findings or illnesses were present in her medical history.

He said: “The deceased had been co-sleeping with her father and was found in a collapsed state. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead, essentially, on arrival.

“She appeared to be very well looked after. There were no injuries and no natural diseases found during the post-mortem examination. There were no drugs or alcohol found in the postmortem blood tests.”

Dr Lumb explained that, following his examination, there were two possible causes of death. He said: “It is either because of co-sleeping or ‘cot death’, but we cannot distinguish between the two. But, on balance, I simply cannot say if it is natural or because of an accidental overlay.”

Concluding, Mr Taylor said: “Milani died on March 8, 2017 at Royal Blackburn Hospital after falling asleep with her father, and there is insufficient evidence to say what caused her death.”