Bail for baby murder trial mother

A MOTHER accused of murdering her newborn son after walking into a hospital cradling the dead baby in her arms was granted bail yesterday.

Shauna Donnelly, 24, was charged with murdering her son Ellis, possibly the day after he was born, but was allowed to walk free after the court heard the case was “exceptional” and “sensitive”.

Defending, Robert Mochrie said Donnelly, of Middlesbrough, had no previous convictions but she had a learning disability and was a “vulnerable” woman.

He told Judge Paul Watson QC, who was sitting at Teesside magistrates’ court via videolink, that his client had attended a police station prior to her judicial appearance knowing that she potentially faced a homicide charge.

She had been under investigation after twice being arrested on suspicion of murder since October 4 2019 when she took the dead baby to hospital. Judge Watson ruled that she could be granted bail as long as she lived with her parents and observed a curfew between the hours of 4pm and 6am.

Mental

Donnelly was reminded she was restricted by coronavirus movement laws.

Judge Watson added: “Sadly Ellis, the newborn, was found to be deceased on arrival at hospital. During the course of the medical investigations which took place very shortly after that Miss Donnelly has remained at large and under investigation since October last year.

“During that time she has been living with her mother and father who will be witnesses in the case.

“I imagine the key issues in any trial will as likely as not revolve around medical evidence.”

Donnelly attended court with her parents and a representative from the mental health charity Mind.