A Nigerian nurse based in the United Kingdom, Ruth Auta, has been sentenced to three years in prison for child cruelty against her deceased son, Joshua Akerele.
The 28-year-old single mother left her 10-week-old baby alone in her accommodation at Royal Bolton Hospital to do an 8-hour shift on December 20, 2022.
Auta returned from work only to find the infant unresponsive.
Auta reportedly called emergency services at 3:24 p.m., reporting that her baby was not breathing, despite resuscitation attempts, Joshua was pronounced dead an hour later, at 4:40 p.m
Tests revealed that he might have been overheated due to excessive layers of clothing and bedding.
She pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on May 24, 2024, while her sentencing was delayed by a month.
Auta, who initially told Greater Manchester Police she had picked up Joshua from a childminder after work, was exposed when CCTV footage revealed she had left her flat at 6:47 a.m. without her son and returned at 3:13 p.m.
Messages on her phone also showed she had asked the childminder to lie to the police about caring for Joshua that day.
The childminder later confirmed she had not seen the baby for several days.
Giving her judgement, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West Sara Davie, stated, “Ruth Auta failed to provide the care her baby needed and chose to leave him alone.
“As a nurse, she should have been aware of the dangers of leaving her child unattended. Her attempts to evade justice further demonstrate her lack of remorse.”
After pleading guilty to child cruelty in May 2023, Auta tried to flee the country but was arrested at Gatwick Airport in June as she attempted to board a flight to Nigeria with a one-way ticket.
“Whilst she went to work to provide care for others, Ruth Auta left the very person who needed her care the most home alone,” said Sara Davie of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Davie emphasised that, as a nurse, Auta should have been aware of the risks of leaving her baby unattended, adding that Auta had shown little remorse and misled authorities throughout the investigation.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who have been affected by Joshua’s death,” Davie added.