A ‘deprived’ mother went into cardiac arrest and died just 14 hours after her baby died suddenly in a suspected bed-sleeping tragedy, an investigation has found.
Emergency services responded to Viktorija Mardosiene’s home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, in the early morning of August 9 last year after receiving reports that her five-month-old son, Kevin Deguitas, was not breathing and had cooled.
Ambulance crews fought to save him and he was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
His 32-year-old mother later checked into the mental health unit at Harplands Hospital, telling staff there that she was heartbroken over her son’s death.
While there, the Lithuanian national went into cardiac arrest and later died in the same hospital as her son.
Viktorija Mardosiene, 32, pictured with her five-month-old baby, Kevin Deguitas.
The ‘deprived’ mother went into cardiac arrest and died just 14 hours after her baby died suddenly in an alleged co-sleeping tragedy.
North Staffordshire Coroner Duncan Richie opened and stayed inquests, stating that further investigation was needed.
At the hearing on Kevin’s death, a statement was heard from PC Tyler Lowe, who said: “The living room was extremely cluttered with boxes and toys all over the floor.
“We heard from the paramedics that he was not receiving air and that a tube was inserted into his mouth and throat.
‘We approached Viktorija to ask questions, she said: ‘No English’. We kept some distance. She was on the phone with the baby’s father asking, “Is my baby dead?” She started to cry.
“We heard that she had taken the baby to bed, sleeping, at 11pm. At 1:34 am we heard that the doctors had stopped CPR and stopped life-saving care. Viktorija was then transferred to the hospital.
DC Craig Flowers, from the Staffordshire Police child protection unit, described the conditions in the house.
DC Flowers said: ‘It would be fair to say that the house was found in some state of disarray. I went to the address the next day and can confirm that I was sleeping in a double bed. There were empty alcohol cans in the bedroom.
Viktorija was given a breathalyzer test at the scene and her level was found to be 40 mcg/ml. The limit for driving under the influence of alcohol is 35.
“It’s fair to say that she was understandably upset. She was screaming, yelling and swaying from side to side yelling “kill me”.
‘There were concerns about domestic matters in the past. There was a history of contact between the emergency services and the couple.
Consultant pediatric pathologist Dr. Roger Malcomson stated: “What we are left with is a baby who died sleeping with a parent.” There is no specific medical cause of death after a full autopsy.
Ambulance crews fought to save the baby and took him to Royal Stoke University Hospital (pictured), but he was later pronounced dead.
Dr Oluwafemi Popoola, a specialist in psychiatry, said Ms Mardosiene was “distraught and crying uncontrollably” and was saying “kill me” when she arrived at Harplands Hospital (pictured)
There are problems associated with co-sleeping, including overlapping. There is also a risk of hypothermia and airway restriction. There is nothing sufficient to suggest a specific cause of death.
I would consider an undetermined cause of death. With the debate as to whether it was a natural or unnatural death, I don’t think there is enough evidence to suggest one way.
An open inquest into the death of Ms Mardosiene heard that she was voluntarily taken to Harplands, where she complained of chest pains.
Later that afternoon, she suddenly collapsed and was confirmed dead at 3:53 p.m., just 14 hours after her baby died.
Dr Oluwafemi Popoola, a specialist in psychiatry, said: “She was received by the deputy ward manager and had periods where she was distraught and cried uncontrollably.” However, she engaged well with the service. She had elevated blood pressure.
“She had not reported any self-harm or suicide prior to her son’s death. However, she was saying “kill me”.
‘She had no previous contact with mental health services. She was given diazepam before her death. The dose was the appropriate and safe amount given.’
A toxicologist’s report showed that although there was a small amount of diazepam, there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system. There was not enough to indicate drug toxicity.
Dr Andrew Hitchcock, the forensic pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination, said: “There were no external injuries.” However, a granular material was found in the abdomen. It looks like the medication people take, the kind you see in open capsules.
‘It looked like a pharmaceutical substance, although I can’t say for sure. It was certainly taken orally.
‘On the balance of probability, I cannot pinpoint exactly what the medical cause of death is. The granular materials themselves were not toxic as they were not mentioned in the report. They would have been taken within 14 hours of death, but I can’t say exactly when.”
