Charlie Goodall: Mother, 31, guilty of manslaughter of baby boy who drowned in bath
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."
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.
