The parents of a teenage girl from Wales have appeared in court charged with causing their daughter’s death by allowing her to become morbidly obese and not getting medical help for her.
Kaylea Titford, 16, was found dead at her home in Newtown, Powys, in October 2020.
Her father, Alun Titford, 44, and her mother, Sarah Lloyd-Jones, 39, are charged with gross negligence, manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person.
It is alleged that between 24 March and 11 October 2020, they failed to ensure Titford’s dietary needs were met, leading to morbid obesity.
According to the charge they did not ensure she got enough exercise, was in a hygienic condition, lived in a safe and hygienic environment, that her physical health was maintained, or that reasonable medical help was sought.
The pair appeared before Welshpool magistrates court on Tuesday and stood together in the dock wearing face masks. They spoke only to confirm their names, ages and address and did not enter any pleas.
Helen Tench, prosecuting, asked both defendants to remain on conditional bail and not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
An earlier inquest hearing was told that Kaylea had spina bifida and had “multiple medical issues” through her life. She was pronounced dead by paramedics at 8.12am on 10 October 2020.
The girl’s parents will next appear before Mold crown court in north Wales on 14 April 2022.
