An inquest into the death of a newborn boy who died at the age of 26 days after being discovered ‘cold and unresponsive’ in his Moses basket last year has left ‘unanswered questions.’
On July 27, 2021, Joseph Tissington was discovered ‘not breathing’ at his house in Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire, after suffering from’significant lung haemorrhaging’ – with no indication of natural illness, infection, trauma, or injury.
It comes as Fiona and Philip Tissington, baby Joseph’s parents, prepare for the birth of their daughter, Renezme-Josefina, in seven weeks.
Mr Philip’s ex-partner, Sinead Rogerson, was living with the family at the time and sleeping on an airbed, according to the hearing at Nottingham Council House last week.
Ms Rogerson, 32, said at the trial that Fiona and Philip were having trouble sleeping because Joseph ‘was a hungry baby,’ so he was put into her room for a few of nights.
Ms Rogerson said that she observed ‘Joseph’s chin was not moving’ and began CPR on him before dialling for his parents.
However, Assistant Coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock told the court that Ms Rogerson’s statement was “different from the narrative of the police on the morning of his death” and that she had “failed to add the portion about her attempting to revive infant Joseph.”
Dr Didcock also informed the tribunal that Ms Rogerson’s infant, Theo, died under identical circumstances due to pulmonary hemorrhage. Nottinghamshire Police were investigating the incident at the time.
Fiona and Philip’s two-bedroom property was ‘cluttered and dirty,’ according to Parminder Dhillon, Detective Inspector of Nottinghamshire Police, who also attended the inquest.
Fiona and Philip Tissington, baby Joseph’s parents, are expecting their daughter, Renezme-Josefina, in seven weeks (Pictured: Fiona Tissington)
Ms Rogerson, from Lincolnshire, recalled arriving at her ex-home partner’s with her three children over the summer holiday in the days before the tragedy.
Assistant coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock said that Ms Rogerson was the first to realize Joseph ‘was not breathing’ immediately after she awoke at approximately 7 a.m. to use the restroom.
While Philip continued to do CPR on infant Joseph, Joseph’s mother Fiona, who claimed she was ‘in shock’ at the moment, contacted an ambulance.
Dr Didcock questioned the events of the night, telling the court, ‘I accept the police statement that he was laid down to sleep on his bed with a vest and nappies because it was hot.’
He was fed at 3.30 a.m., and he was fully nourished. Sinead awoke and went to the bathroom, returning to find Joseph unconscious. She said in court today that she lifted him up, placed him on the floor, and attempted to revive him.
‘I believe this story to be contradictory to the police report on the morning of his death.’ She said today that she had neglected to add this section. She believed she tried to revive him for a few minutes before returning him to his basket before Phil arrived.
‘I discovered a little delay in dialing for help.’ However, it is doubtful that this would have made a difference, and an earlier ambulance call would have made no difference.’
When the emergency services arrived at the residence, Joseph was declared dead at King’s Mill Hospital. Dr. Didcock, assistant coroner, said that no concerns about the baby’s injuries were detected or identified when he was in the emergency room.
Dr Michael Biggs performed a post-mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary after Joseph’s death.
While he stated that the cause of death was ‘undetermined,’ he did state that there was iron staining in his lungs from haemorrhaging a few days earlier, which may sometimes be ascribed to a ‘airway blockage.’
However, the coroner said that Dr. Biggs could not completely rule out a natural death.
‘As part of our investigation, we looked into Philip and Fiona’s past,’ said Detective Inspector Dhillon of Nottinghamshire Police. We also discovered that Sinead had a kid who died in identical circumstances a few years ago.’
However, the police decided that there was “no substantive evidence” of criminal behavior or a connection between the two infant fatalities. However, the inquest heard that this was deemed a possible danger factor ahead of Mrs Tissington’s second child’s delivery in seven weeks.
‘I am concerned about the danger to the [unborn] baby,’ assistant coroner Dr Didcock stated at the conclusion of the inquest. Because we have some unsolved questions, I shall record an open conclusion. I appreciate the witnesses and, of course, extend my heartfelt sympathies. I am very saddened by Joseph’s death.’
She also requested that Nottinghamshire’s social services keep in touch with the family in the run-up to the birth of their daughter.
Following the inquest, the parents said that they were concerned about problems in the days before Joseph’s birth, when Fiona was taken to the hospital.
Philip said that “he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his head twice,” but Joseph started sobbing and his color restored shortly after birth. As a precaution, Joseph was sent to critical care.
‘In the little time he was here, he was amazing,’ Philip remarked outside the Council House after the inquiry. He only cried when he was hungry or when he wanted his diaper changed. He was perfectly satisfied simply gazing at you. He has unusually large feet for his age.’
‘I’ve got his real hand and footprints on the side of my leg,’ Fiona claimed. We believed they were going to blame it on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He was incredible.’
According to the family, the coroner was ‘on about the danger factors when she (Renezme-Josefina) is born.’
Philip said that his ex-partner would be leaving before the birth of their baby, Renezme-Josefina, adding that ‘it was cluttered, certainly, but it is less cluttered today.’
