A mother has been convicted of child cruelty after her five-month-old daughter died while she was drinking heavily and failed to provide adequate supervision. Natasha Birks (37) was found guilty following the death of Rhian Mahoney at their home in Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, in November 2021.
Birks had placed her daughter on a settee before opening a bottle of vodka and partying with a friend on the eve of her birthday. She consumed large quantities of vodka mixed with orange juice and Irish cream liqueur in a separate room from where Rhian slept, eating nothing to counteract the alcohol's effects.
Court proceedings reveal neglect
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Birks left the house several times during the night to smoke cigarettes and only briefly observed her daughter from a dining room doorway rather than conducting proper checks. When Rhian did not wake for her usual feed between 4:30am and 6:30am, Birks failed to notice this deviation from routine.
Between 6am and 9am, Birks then failed to recognise her daughter's deterioration in health. By the time paramedics were called, Rhian had already died.
Elaine Radway from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Natasha Birks chose to drink heavily while responsible for her five-month-old baby who was entirely dependent on her. Although she did not cause her child's death or foresee this devastating outcome, her level of intoxication meant she could not provide the supervision Rhian needed."
Legal accountability established
The prosecution emphasised that whilst Birks did not directly cause her daughter's death, her level of intoxication prevented her from providing the necessary care. The case highlights legal standards for parental supervision and the serious consequences when parents fail in their fundamental duty to protect vulnerable children.
Birks is scheduled to be sentenced in December. The law holds parents accountable for the safety and wellbeing of their children, with this conviction demonstrating the courts' commitment to child protection.
Sources used: "Manchester Evening News", "Chronicle Live", "Liverpool Echo" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
