The family of Reid Steele have paid tribute to the "loving little boy" who was killed by his mother who was suffering from a severe mental illness. The two-year-old was killed by Natalie Steele who held him underwater in the bath of her home in Bridgend.
Steele, 32, was detained under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act on Tuesday after a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard she was suffering from psychosis and believed demons were trying to harm her and Reid. Upon returning from a camping trip to her home on August 11 last year she believed her family had "demons within them" and she believed they had "big eyes and contorted faces".
The defendant took her son upstairs to give him a bath but came downstairs and told her mother and stepfather: "You'd better come upstairs". They were confronted by the horrifying sight of Reid lying on the floor with his eyes wide open and his body lifeless.
Read more: Recap the sentencing hearing in full here
Despite the best efforts by Steele's family and paramedics who attended the scene Reid never regained consciousness and died in hospital on August 12 after suffering a hypoxic ischemic brain injury due to cardiac arrest. Following her arrest Steele told officers she believed her son was at harm and she felt the need to protect him and felt the only to do this was to "send him to heaven for protection from God".
Steele was assessed and was found to be suffering from "psychotic depression" and was severely mentally unwell at the time of Reid's death. She was described as a "wonderful mother" who was "devoted" to Reid and it was accepted she would not have killed Reid were it not for her illness.
Following the hearing a statement was released on behalf of Reid's family, who said their lives had "changed forever". They added: "We will always have a piece missing from our family. Reid was the most loved, beautiful, funny, intelligent and loving little boy who touched the hearts of everyone he met. Natalie really was a wonderful mother.
"He had a wonderful life which was filled with holidays and fun adventures collecting shells and pebbles on the beach with Natalie. He spent so much time with his family who loved him so very much. The pain we feel at Reid’s loss can never be properly expressed with words.
“As a family we unanimously agree that the judge’s decision today was the right one. Natalie will continue to receive the treatment she needs to hopefully, in time, get better.
“Mental health conditions can sometimes be frightening, complicated, and, most importantly, not always visible until it is too late. But there is help out there. Please don’t be afraid to reach out.”
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