Sheriff demands more details on toddler’s death

A sheriff has demanded more details on the suffering caused to a Coatbridge toddler in the days before she died.

Tragic Kiera Conroy, aged just 19-months-old, was found lifeless by her parents Michael Conroy and Kirsty Boyle five days before Christmas.

Conroy, 27, and Boyle, 24, had stayed up through the previous night watching TV then slept for hours during the day, leaving the youngster alone in another room.

Boyle discovered her daughter around 5pm on December 20, 2017, while the couple had been getting ready to go out.

She said herself and Conroy had been up until 6.30am, watching a box set on TV and playing games on their phones.

Conroy, of Coatbridge, admitted wilfully causing or procuring his daughter to be ill-treated, neglected and exposed in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

The charge stated he had failed to provide Kiera with adequate nourishment and fluids, left her alone and unattended for excessive periods and failed to provide suitable living conditions.

He had appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing but Sheriff Fergus Thomson said he was concerned by a lack of medical information available to him on the youngster’s health condition before she passed away.

He also said he did not feel he could pass sentence on Conroy until his lawyers and prosecutors had agreed on “important matters” relating to her health.

Paul Belardo, defending, said: “It is a very delicate matter and in fairness to my client a deferral for a short period would be appropriate.”

Kiera’s sudden death in December 2017 was treated as unexplained.

Boyle later told police: “We were both shattered. We did an all-nighter. It’s a bad habit.”

Boyle said she didn’t hear Kiera at that point and “assumed she was asleep” but the youngster was found

“very white” with sickness around her mouth.

Conroy also admitted causing his daughter to be exposed to street Valium pills.

Tablets were found within Kiera’s travel cot, although there was no suggestion that she had taken any.

Sheriff Thomson said: “Given what your client has pled guilty to and having read the agreed written narrative again, it does not contain anything of a medical nature on the effects of the lack of nourishment and fluid.

“I don’t have any information on

these important matters so I don’t feel, in fairness, that I can pass sentence without that extra detail.

“There is a lack of background on these matters which I would need to hear about.

“The plea involved lack of nourishment and fluids and exposure to etizolam and it is this area that I feel needs addressed.”

The case will call again in January and Conroy had his bail continued.

Boyle had faced the same neglect charge as her partner but had her not guilty plea accepted.

Tragedy Little Kiera was just 19-months-old when she died Family The toddler with her parents Michael Conroy and Kirsty Boyle