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Michael Smedley: Inquest into death of bruised, injured baby begins in Alice Springs
By Tom Maddocks and Xavier La Canna
Updated Mon Dec 12 19:55:45 EST 2016
Posted Mon Dec 12 19:09:50 EST 2016
View attachment 106006
Photo: Michael Smedley had 26 bruises on his body when he died, the inquest heard.
Supplied: Facebook
'No-one has ever been charged over the death of a five-month-old boy who had severe bruising and anal injuries after medical experts failed to agree on the cause of death, a court has heard.
A coronial inquest has begun into the death of Michael Smedley in Alice Springs more than four years ago.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Kelvin Currie, said the baby died on July 26, 2012 while in the care of his mother's friends, Tamara Cole and Oliver Deighton.
Mr Deighton was at home on the day Michael died and had left the boy on a change table while he gave some keys to someone who came to the house about 9:40am, the inquest was told.
When he returned to the bathroom he saw the baby had wriggled to the edge of the table and was sliding off headfirst, Mr Currie said.
He said the infant was caught before he hit the ground, but Mr Deighton said Michael began hiccupping and jolting.
Michael dead with bruising, pointers to shaken baby syndrome
The inquest heard Ms Cole returned home about an hour later, at which time Mr Deighton went to get Michael and discovered him limp and not breathing.
Paramedics were called but the child was pronounced dead at 4.05pm.
He said Michael's body had three major pointers to shaken baby syndrome including haemorrhages to both eyes and cerebral swelling.
Michael also had anal injuries, blood in his nappy and it was thought that seven sperm heads were identified from a swab taken, the inquest heard.'
'Expert opinions into death differ
But medical experts consulted by police had different opinions on the cause of death.'
'The inquest continues.'
By Tom Maddocks and Xavier La Canna
Updated Mon Dec 12 19:55:45 EST 2016
Posted Mon Dec 12 19:09:50 EST 2016
View attachment 106006
Photo: Michael Smedley had 26 bruises on his body when he died, the inquest heard.
Supplied: Facebook
'No-one has ever been charged over the death of a five-month-old boy who had severe bruising and anal injuries after medical experts failed to agree on the cause of death, a court has heard.
A coronial inquest has begun into the death of Michael Smedley in Alice Springs more than four years ago.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Kelvin Currie, said the baby died on July 26, 2012 while in the care of his mother's friends, Tamara Cole and Oliver Deighton.
Mr Deighton was at home on the day Michael died and had left the boy on a change table while he gave some keys to someone who came to the house about 9:40am, the inquest was told.
When he returned to the bathroom he saw the baby had wriggled to the edge of the table and was sliding off headfirst, Mr Currie said.
He said the infant was caught before he hit the ground, but Mr Deighton said Michael began hiccupping and jolting.
Michael dead with bruising, pointers to shaken baby syndrome
The inquest heard Ms Cole returned home about an hour later, at which time Mr Deighton went to get Michael and discovered him limp and not breathing.
Paramedics were called but the child was pronounced dead at 4.05pm.
But there were concerns about the death, including that the baby had 26 bruises to his body, over both bones and soft tissues, Mr Currie said.
He said Michael's body had three major pointers to shaken baby syndrome including haemorrhages to both eyes and cerebral swelling.
Michael also had anal injuries, blood in his nappy and it was thought that seven sperm heads were identified from a swab taken, the inquest heard.'
'Expert opinions into death differ
But medical experts consulted by police had different opinions on the cause of death.'
'The inquest continues.'