Thatcham baby Kayden died from natural causes, inquest hears

Coroner assures mother that no one was to blame for three-month-old's cot death

THE heartbroken mother of a three-month-old baby who died in hospital has paid tribute to her son – describing him as “a happy boy who loved to laugh”.

Ashleigh Meager was speaking after the inquest into the death of Kayden Meager, held at Reading Town Hall on Tuesday.

Ms Meager told the inquest that on March 30 this year, the day before his death, Kayden was his “usual happy, giggly self” and had gone to bed at the usual time of 7.45pm.

She checked on her son at 1am and said he was “breathing fine and snoring”.

Kayden then woke at 2am – something Ms Meager said was unusual as he normally slept through the night.

She gave him a bottle of milk and put him back to sleep on his front as “he struggled to sleep on his back”.

In her statement, Ms Meager said she woke up at 10am and immediately became concerned as “Kayden would normally wake me up at 6.30am”.

She went to check on him, but told the inquest that his cheek was cold to the touch and that his hands and mouth were purple in colour.

Paramedics attended the ground floor flat in Boscawen Way, Thatcham, where she was living with a friend, and confirmed that the baby was in cardiac arrest.

He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, but despite extensive efforts to save his life, he was declared dead at 11.14am on March 31.

Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford concluded that his death was due to natural causes, and recorded that he died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – more commonly known as ‘cot death’.

Reading the statement, Mr Bedford said: “He had regular reviews, was progressing well, good weight gain, fit and well, no concerns, all exactly as it should be.”

Pathologist Dr Colene Bowker, expert in baby deaths from John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, conducted the post mortem examination.

She told the inquest that he was well-grown, well-nourished and there were no signs of any infant infections or viral diseases apart from a previous viral infection “any child would have”.

Dr Bowker added that 300 cases of ‘cot death’ were reported in the country last year and it was more common in boys aged between four and six months.

She said: “Sleeping on the front, that is how things used to happen before the 90s when a campaign reduced cot death quite considerably.

“However, if the baby won’t sleep on their back it is a difficult decision for a mother to make. When the baby can roll they will roll to a natural position anyway.”

A statement from the GP surgery in Thatcham said he was “well cared for”.

Ms Meager said she had no concerns about his health but added that he “snored like an old man” and made squeaking noises when he was born.

During the inquest, Kayden’s father made accusations about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death and blamed Ms Meager for what happened.

She asked Mr Bedford: “I just want to put it out there, is there anything I did to kill Kayden? I am only asking that because Kayden’s dad keeps putting on Facebook that I killed him and he is better off without me.”

At that point a row erupted in the Town Hall and Kayden’s father stormed out.

Responding to her question, Mr Bedford said: “I am more than satisfied, and will record, that the cause of death can be described as natural causes and excludes any blame on Ashleigh or anyone else. The fact that police found no issues satisfies me.

“I have little sympathy but understand why remote fathers fear the worst and raise suspicions, but what I am here to do is dispel these very nasty allegations.”

Following the inquest, Ms Meager said: “Kayden was such a good, happy boy who loved to laugh.

“He bought joy to me, the rest of the family and everyone who met him. I love him so much and will treasure every moment from the short time Kayden was with us.”

Kayden’s grandmother, Kerry Bourne, added: “He was a lovely little boy and he is very much missed by us all.”