Teen mum killed her 38 day-old baby son with paracetamol overdose
A TEEN mum has admitted killing her 38-day-old baby son with a paracetamol overdose.
Ellie Jacobs, 19, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Archie Jacobs at Biddlesden near Buckingham on 3rd June 2020.
She had denied charges of murder and child cruelty at the start of her trial at Luton crown court last week.
But today the jury was told that Jacobs, now of Moor Road, Rushden, Northants., has now admitted manslaughter and child cruelty.
Prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC said the plea was acceptable to the prosecution.
At the opening of the case, Ms Bickerstaff said: “Archie was born on 28 April 2020 and he died on 5th June when he was just 5 weeks.
“He died from a paracetamol overdose, some time from the evening of 4th June or into the early hours of the 5th.”
When Archie’s body was examined, it was found he had two sets of fractures – one to his right tibia and four to the big toe of his right foot.
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They were caused three to seven days before his death.
Ms Bickerstaff said Ellie Jacobs was 16 when she gave birth to Archie and was living on the caravan site at Biddlesden.
Just before his birth her partner had moved out. Archie had been placed on a Child Protection Plan.
Her mother Sarah Jacobs and stepfather lived on the site.
She had supported her daughter and grandson, but she was killed in a road crash on 10th May 2020.
The judge, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker KC, discharged the jury. He told them: “In this case Ellie Jacobs has decided she would accept her guilt of being responsible for death and causing fracture.
“She accepts she was responsible for death of her son by giving him an overdose of paracetamol.
“She does not accept she intended to kill her son or intended to cause him really serious bodily harm.
“The prosecution has decided it’s not in the public interest to proceed in a trial of murder.”
Ellie Jacobs is due to be sentenced on 24th May, when reports on her have been prepared. She was remanded in custody.