Baby's murder 'could not be foreseen', report says

The murder of a two-week-old premature baby by his father could not have been predicted, according to a new report into the death.

Daniel Gunter, 27, was jailed last October for killing Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in 2024, after inflicting what the jury heard were "catastrophic" injuries.

A report by the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership, external (SSCP) into the incident said that despite Gunter's documented history of domestic abuse and the involvement of social services, it was not enough to limit access to his son.

SSCP identified actions such as implementing a new information sharing tool, changes to training and updates to multi-agency safeguarding meetings.

The SSCP, which is made up of Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and the Somerset Integrated Care Board, has responsibility for the safeguarding of children in the county.

It said Gunter was known to a neighbouring police force and previously received a caution for domestic abuse and malicious communications, as well as being investigated for assault and coercive behaviour.

The hours leading up to Brandon's death were the first time Gunter had stayed overnight in Yeovil District Hospital with his son, with the midwifery team letting the social care service know he would be monitored because of his history.

The report added that during his time on the ward, Gunter "kept disturbing" his son by jiggling and poking him, going against medical advice to let him rest, and became angry when asked to stop.

The SSCP concluded: "Despite the known concerns, it could not be foreseen that [Brendon] would be murdered by his father in a hospital environment.

A spokesperson for the SSCP said: "The murder of Brendon Staddon was a hugely distressing incident, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with Brendon's family and all those who were impacted by his tragic death.

"It's important we make every effort to learn from the events that led up to Brendon's death.

"We have already actioned many of the recommended changes."

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's chief medical officer, Dr Melanie Iles, told the BBC: "We are taking this incredibly seriously, it's really tragic... and anything we can do to prevent it ever happening again and learning from that - we will do."

At trial, Brendon's mother, Sophie Staddon, was acquitted of the lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of a child.

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