Courts / Ireland / Report
Mother admits suffocating daughter after becoming "obsessed" with autism diagnosis
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a mother admitted suffocating her toddler with a pillow after becoming obsessed with a diagnosis of a severe autism type. The mother, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claimed she was devastated by the child's assessment, which did not confirm the severe autism she feared. She had sought medical help, received sleeping tablets, and was seeing a counsellor. On 10 February 2018 she called emergency services, reporting she had suffocated her daughter. Gardaí found the child unresponsive; she was taken to Crumlin Hospital and pronounced dead on 13 February 2018. The prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed the mother met criteria for insanity. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, is expected to last up to three days.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother admits suffocating daughter after becoming "obsessed" with autism diagnosis. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 10, 2018 Other
- February 13, 2018 Other
- 2019-10-22 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- was brought to Crumlin Garda station
- Crumlin Hospital
Topics
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