A mother has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her seven-month-old son after he was found unresponsive in a bath.

Danielle Massey, 31, also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis on the day her son Charlie Goodall died in County Durham.

He was found unresponsive in the water by police and paramedics after they arrived at their home in Chilton on 16 February 2022.

Charlie was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by helicopter but was pronounced dead soon after he arrived.

Prosecuting, Richard Wright KC told Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday: “There is acceptance of a prolonged period of inattention during which this child died.”

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Defending, Martin Sharpe told the court that Massey accepts the baby’s bath seat was “not properly affixed” and this was “her fault”.

“She should have affixed it to a flat bath, hers is concave, the suction pad wouldn’t properly work. This caused her child to tip over and then drown,” he added.

The case has been adjourned until 26 July, before which the judge will decide if a Newton hearing is required to establish disputed facts in the case.

Related posts:

Lottery winner killed pensioner after taking eyes off road to find son’s teddy, court hears UK records 35,847 new COVID cases and 149 more deaths Police could ‘lose trust’ of communities as watchdog reveals black people more likely to be tasered for longer Cadbury issues warning over Easter chocolate WhatsApp scam SNP celebrates winning Scotland ‘by a country mile’ as Labour pushes Tories into third place Thousands could miss out on top university choices as pre-COVID A-level grading returns JK Rowling gets death threat after support for Salman Rushdie Vikings brought their dogs and horses to England, bones confirm Police release image of new witness they want to speak to after disappearance of Nicola Bulley Donald Trump greeted by hat-waving staff at Turnberry golf resort Detectives hunting woman’s killer following ‘positive line of inquiry’ ‘Monster’ who killed Nottingham trio will be sentenced for manslaughter