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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Man and woman charged with murder after two-week-old baby dies in hospital

A man and a woman have been charged with murder following the death of a two-week-old baby.

Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, both of no fixed address, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The charges follow the death of Brendon Staddon, who died at Yeovil District Hospital around 5am on Tuesday (March 5), said Avon and Somerset Police.

Officers were called by staff at the hospital, where two-week-old Brendon was an in-patient.

An investigation was launched by the force’s major crime investigation team a short time later.

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, of Avon and Somerset Police, said on Friday: “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 inquiries 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 remained in police custody on Friday, and were due to appear before Taunton Magistrates’ Court the same day

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