Maggots found feeding on body of morbidly obese daughter, 16, who ate five takeaways a week as dad accused of neglect
MAGGOTS were found feeding on the body of a morbidly obese teen girl after she died in squalor, a court heard.
Kaylea Titford, 16, was allegedly left to die at 23 stone in a filthy room at home in Newton, Wales, on October 10, 2020.
The schoolgirl had been eating five takeaways a week and “living in conditions not fit for animals”, jurors were told.
Her dad Alun Titford, 45, allegedly neglected Kaylea by allowing her to become morbidly obese.
Mold Crown Court today heard evidence from forensic entomologist Amoret Whitaker.
The medic examined maggots that were found on Kaylea’s body as well as all over her soiled bedsheets and absorbent pads.
Dr Whitaker said: “The fact they were so closely associated with the body and were shown inside folds of skin makes me believe they were feeding on the body itself.
“They are attracted to wounds, for instance, such as bed ulcers.”
She told the court the maggots had been feeding on Kaylea for at least 48 hours.
The doctor also said fly papers in the teen’s bedroom were covered more than 100 of the insects.
She said she was unable to say for sure whether the flies on the paper had developed in the room.
Jurors heard the schoolgirl, who had spina bifida, was “fiercely independent” before the pandemic – taking part in PE lessons in her wheelchair.
But when lockdown hit, Kaylea was allegedly left to die in a filthy room.
The teen was forced to use “puppy pads” to go to the toilet on her urine-soaked floor.
Her nails had also not been cut for six months and “well grown” maggots were found on her body, it was said.
Jurors were told there were traces of fly excrement on her chair hoist.
The teen’s hair was also matted and Kaylea, who needed help with everyday tasks, had not been washed for “several weeks”.
Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC said: “She lived and died in squalor and degradation.”
When police arrived at the home, one officer was “almost sick” from the stench of unwashed faeces in her bathroom.
Ms Rees KC said at the time of her death, Kaylea weighed 22.9 stone and was “morbidly obese” with a BMI of 70.
She added: “Once her body was removed, officers could see the state of the bed which was full of maggots and there was an overbearing smell of ammonia.”
Titford claimed to be “shocked” by his daughter’s death and says Kaylea was mum Sarah Lloyd-Jones’ responsibility.
He also allegedly blamed his “laziness” for the state of Kaylea’s bedroom and told officers: “I’m not a very good dad”.
Titford denies gross negligence manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child.
Kaylea’s mum, Sarah Lloyd-Jones, 39, has pleaded guilty to the same charges, jurors were told.
The parents allegedly failed in their “duty of care” to get Kaylea exercise and give her a healthy diet.
They are also accused of failing to keep her clean and “medically safe”.
The trial continues.