A 28 year old woman has been found guilty of causing the death of her three month old daughter after exposing the baby to intense heat from a hairdryer while the child was in her care.
The High Court in Aberdeen delivered the unanimous verdict after the jury spent just over an hour considering the evidence presented during the seven day trial. The woman had denied the charge but was convicted and will be sentenced next month.
Baby Suffered Serious Burn Injuries
The court heard that baby Dahlia Rose suffered severe burns covering around 18% of her body. Prosecutors said the injuries occurred while the infant was alone with her mother. The burns were so serious that they led to the baby’s death.
Investigators also recovered the baby’s DNA from a hairdryer, which became an important piece of evidence during the trial.
Emergency Call Played in Court
Jurors listened to a recording of the emergency call made after the incident. During the call, the mother told the operator that her daughter had turned purple while she had been asleep.
The prosecution also told the court that the woman had consumed alcohol before the incident took place.
Medical Evidence Presented
A burns specialist gave expert testimony during the trial and explained that the baby’s heat injuries were extremely serious. However, the doctor said the burns might not have been the direct cause of death. He stated that it was possible the child had already died before receiving the injuries.
Despite that medical opinion, the jury concluded that the evidence proved the mother had acted recklessly and found her guilty.
Mother Remanded Before Sentencing
Following the verdict, the woman became emotional as court officials led her from the courtroom. The judge remanded her in custody ahead of her sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for next month.
The tragic case has drawn attention to the importance of protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that suspected abuse is reported without delay.
