Man jailed after Googling ‘how to poison baby’ and giving newborn drugs

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A man has been jailed for 25-and-a-half years for giving a newborn baby prescription drugs in her milk bottle after Googling: ‘How to poison a baby’.

Jamar Bailey, 21, was arrested after the three-week-old baby girl had been taken to hospital on 27 June last year after becoming listless and unresponsive.

A urine test detected sodium valporate – a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, which could have been potentially fatal to the tiny child.

Detectives found Mr Bailey was taking medication for seizures and a search of his property found a prescription for Epilim Chrono – containing sodium valproate - in his name. He was arrested on suspicion of wilfully harming a child while further items were seized and toxicology tests carried out.

Shockingly, officers found evidence of the drug in the baby’s milk bottle and searches on his mobile phone for “how to poison a baby” and “how to kill a newborn baby”.

The tot survived her ordeal and police said she is “safeguarded and thriving” although it won’t be known until she is older if there are any lasting effects.

Mr Bailey, of Winson Green, Birmingham admitted attempted murder in June this year and was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Kirsty Wilson, from West Midlands Police’s public protection unit, said: “The little girl is so lucky to be alive and we are really pleased that she is doing so well. “Bailey’s actions were premeditated and could quite easily have resulted in her death. “Our investigation was complex and relied on medical evidence and the support of partner agencies, so we are satisfied that justice has been done.” Mr Bailey will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.

SWNS