Nigerian Nurse in UK Jailed for 3 Years for Child Negligence Leading to His Death

A Nigerian nurse, Ruth Auta, based in the United Kingdom, has been sentenced to three years in prison for child negligence following the tragic death of her 10-week-old son, Joshua Akerele.

The incident has drawn significant attention due to the severe breach of care expected from a healthcare professional.

On December 20, 2022, the 28-year-old single mother left her infant unattended in her nurse’s accommodation for eight hours while she worked a shift at the Royal Bolton Hospital. Upon returning home, Auta discovered Joshua unresponsive in his cot and immediately called emergency services. Despite resuscitation efforts, the baby was pronounced dead an hour after paramedics arrived.

Investigations revealed that Joshua may have overheated due to being excessively clothed and covered with heavy bedding. Auta initially claimed she had picked up Joshua from a childminder and found him unresponsive after falling asleep with him. However, CCTV footage and text messages contradicted her story, showing her leaving and returning to her accommodation without her child.

Additionally, messages revealed she had instructed the childminder to falsely claim she had cared for Joshua that day.

In May 2024, Auta pleaded guilty to charges of cruelty to a child at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. In June 2024, she attempted to flee the country but was apprehended at Gatwick Airport with a one-way ticket to Nigeria.

District Crown Prosecutor Sara Davie, in delivering the verdict, stated, “As a nurse, Ruth Auta should have been aware of the dangers of leaving her child unattended. Her failure to provide the necessary care and her attempts to evade justice demonstrate her lack of remorse.”