Two-week-old baby boy dies in hospital as two arrested on suspicion of murder

08 March 2024 , 10:50

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Two people have been charged with the murder of a two-week-old Brendon Staddon (Image: Alastair JohnstoneSWNS.com)

Two people have been charged with the murder of a two-week-old baby who died in hospital on Tuesday.

Little Brendon Staddon died at Yeovil District Hospital, Somerset at around 5am on March 5, leading staff to call police with concerns. Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, both of no fixed address, were arrested, and were last night charged with Brendon's murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

Brendon had been an in-patient at the hospital but no further details of the circumstances surrounding his death have been released. Avon and Somerset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team has launched an investigation. Senior Investigating Officer, DI Mark Newbury, said: “This is a particularly tragic case in which a very young baby has died, and our thoughts are with Brendon’s loved ones during this time.

“We have been carrying out enquiries at the hospital this week, and we’re grateful to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and their staff for their assistance in enabling us to do this.” Gunter and Staddon remain in police custody and will appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court today.

Kelly-Ann Mills