Parents exposed baby boy to monkey dust drug before he died at seven weeks old

A baby was exposed to the harmful monkey dust drug before his died aged just seven weeks old, an inquest was told.

'Neglected' Ronnie Higginson tragically died at his home on November 26, 2019, after going into cardiac arrest. Just days before his death, concerns were raised over his health, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.

His parents were told to take him to a hospital or a walk-in centre due to his cough and difficulty breathing. But that never happened, the inquest into his death heard.

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One social worker who had visited the family home, in Cobridge in Stoke-on-Trent, in the weeks before Ronnie was born described the conditions as some of the worst she had seen in 16 years as a child protection worker. She said she was 'taken aback' by the conditions inside the home.

Following his death, Ronnie's mum Kayleigh Clarke was jailed for 27 months after being convicted of child cruelty by neglect. Partner Michael Higginson received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after being convicted of the same charge..

Ronnie's cause of death has never been ascertained. Toxicology tests revealed psycho-active substances in his blood and urine.

Detective Inspector Gina Pope, from Staffordshire Police, said: "The drugs were of the same type as found on Michael Higginson at the time of his arrest in January 2020. After an examination it was concluded (Ronnie) would have been exposed to alpha-PHP and MDPEP - commonly known as monkey dust.

"Exposure to monkey dust would have increased the risk of cot death. It was clear he had some sort of respiratory tract infection - histology of his lungs showed evidence of acute inflammation.

"Both (Clarke and Higginson) admitted that they were regular drug users, but at no point had they given any of their children drugs. But they were present, not necessarily in the same room."

'The condition was one of the worst I have ever seen'

The inquest heard the family was already known to social services. Clarke had concealed her pregnancy and Ronnie was born premature just weeks after she revealed her condition to the family's allocated social worker.

Helen Hawkins was an agency social worker at Stoke-on-Trent City Council from July to October 2019. She told the inquest: "The first time I met the family and visited the home I was quite taken aback by how the conditions were.

"There were no carpets on the floor and no bedding. There was a potty that looked like it had vomit in.

"At that time Kayleigh disclosed she was 30 weeks pregnant and went for a private scan. She had concealed a number of pregnancies. I have been a child protection worker for 16 years and the condition the children were living in was one of the worst I have ever seen."

There was a 'really strong' cannabis smell during another visit. Ms Hawkins added: "I remember Michael being very argumentative at the time and Kayleigh presented as extremely vulnerable."

Ms Hawkins reported her worries about the family to senior members of the social care team and told the inquest the situation 'should have gone to legal advice'. But she says it was the view of senior management that the family should be given the opportunity to engage and a child protection conference would take place.

Ms Hawkins completed her report on the conference and delivered it to Higginson around the time his partner was at the hospital giving birth to Ronnie. She left the authority just days later, on October 12.

The inquest continues.

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