Mexborough and Swinton Times March 15, 1929
First Baby.
Tragedy of Inexperience.
An inquest was held at the Castle Inn, Conisboro’, on Monday by Mr. W.H.Carlile on a male child who died shortly after birth on Saturday evening.
Edward Knight, the father, of 87, Blythe Street, Denaby gave evidence of identification. The child was nearly 18 hours old. Witness saw his wife at 7-30 p.m. on Saturday, and after ascertaining she was all right he went out. He was called back later, and the child was dead.
Margaret Reynolds, a certified midwife, of 9, Denaby Avenue, Conisborough, said she attended Mrs. Knight. The child was born at 1.15 a.m. on Saturday, and weighed almost 8 ½ lb
Witness made a call in the evening at 8.50, and the child was then dead. Witness was told that a visitor had called, and someone had shown the child to the visitor.
The child had been put Ion the pillow and the head had fallen to its chest and that had suffocated it. “If they would only provide us with cots for our babies this would not have happened,” added the nurse.
Dr. T. Ford said he was called by the last witness at 10 p.m. on Saturday to see the body. Witness was of the opinion that the child died from asphyxia, due to acute inflexion of the neck. Witness had never seen such an accident. The pillow was higher than usual, and the child had been placed on this with the result that the head had fallen forward.
Lottie Fenn, of 87, Blythe Street, Denaby, the wife of Thomas Fenn, a miner, said that at 8.20 p.m. on Saturday a visitor called. To see the baby, and witness took her upstairs. The visitor said the child’s head was high on the pillow. Witness picked up the child and noticed it was blue. She told Mrs. Knight the child was dead.
A verdict of “Accidental death,” in accordance with the medical evidence. “The child was placed too high on the pillow. It was the mother s first child, and she did not know what to do.” said the Coroner.<