Love of Mercy
Father of child left alone as his mother died vows to launch legal action
THE father of a baby who was left alone for several days following the death of his mother has launched a legal action against the Home Office.
Eighteen-month old Adriel Ejikemeuwa was found malnourished in his cot after the death of Mercy Baguma, 34, went unnoticed for almost five days.
They were only discovered when father Eric Nnanna phoned police for help after getting no answer at Ms Baguma’s flat in Govan, Glasgow.
When access was eventually gained they found the toddler in his cot clutching an empty milk bottle with his mother lying dead in the hallway.
A post-mortem revealed she had died of alcohol poisoning, She had no history of alcohol abuse.
The Home Office and contractor Mears Group, which provides housing for asylum seekers, have been criticised for their roles in the tragedy and campaigners have demanded a fatal accident inquiry be held into the death.
Adriel now stays with his father at another Home Office flat in the city.
Mr Nnanna, who is studying subsea and pipeline engineering at the University of Strathclyde, hopes the newly launched investigation will provide answers.
He said: “I had no idea something was wrong and when I think of what Adriel must have endured it just breaks my heart.
“If Mears had told Mercy where she was moving to then Adriel would never have been left for as long as he was because I would have gone to the new flat to look for them.
“I miss Mercy dearly and Adriel does too as sometimes he still calls ‘momma’ and I get upset when I can’t help him understand.
“I just hope this investigation helps provide answers, we can at least understand why things went wrong - that way no one else will need to experience what we have.”
The couple lived in separate flats but following lockdown in March, Mr Nnanna began spending most of his time at Ms Baguma’s flat to help look after their son.
In August, Mears contacted Ms Baguma, from Uganda, to inform her she was being rehomed and Mr Nnanna returned to his own flat but returned to help her move on August 19.
She failed to answer the door and
had not contacted her friends so he assumed she had already been moved.
He returned to his own flat but went back to Ms Baguma’s flat on August 22 and heard his son crying when he opened the letter box.
The father contacted police and the tragic scene was uncovered by officers. It is unknown if Mears Group employees ever visited the flat or contacted Ms Baguma on the scheduled moving day or any day after.
Robina Qureshi, director of refugee homelessness charity Positive Action In Housing, said: “It would seem Mears Group did not take any steps to raise the alarm when Mercy was not answering the door at the pre-arranged time for rehousing.
“Mears Group also did not provide an address, which resulted in Eric not having basic contact information for his partner and child. This resulted in
a baby being left without food and water for several days after the death of his mother.
“The circumstances surrounding this tragedy is indicative of wider systemic issues where refugees and migrants are left vulnerable by the state. We are grateful to the press, public and fellow campaigners for their support as we work to improve this flawed system but as we do this we cannot be drawn into speculation.
“It would therefore be objectively prudent and just for the authorities to conduct a fatal accident investigation into Mercy’s death and other deaths that took place while under the duty of care of the Home Office and the UK Government.”
Kim Leslie, partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, added: “Although we are at a very early stage, we are now investigating the circumstances of
Mercy’s death and any failings in processes that may have contributed to this which will involve looking into the Home Office and Mears Group.”
“Should there be evidence of negligence, neglect or a failure to act on the part of those who were responsible for the welfare of Adriel then we will see to it that he accesses the justice he deserves.”
If the case is successful all damages recovered will be placed in a trust for Adriel when he becomes an adult.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “This is a tragic situation and our condolences go to Ms Baguma’s family. It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations by Scottish authorities are ongoing.”
A Mears spokesman added: “We are very sorry to hear about the tragic death of Mercy Baguma and our thoughts are with her loved ones.”
It would seem Mears Group did not take any steps to raise the alarm