Baby of mum, 18, who died on day he was born to have life-support stopped

A 12-day-old baby whose teenage mother died on the day he was born has irreversible brain damage and should be allowed to die, a judge has ruled.

Danielle Jones, 18, collapsed and died at her parents' home in Bristol on January 17, Mr Justice Hayden heard.

Her son, Danny, was delivered by caesarean section and moved to a hospital intensive care unit.

Specialists said Danny had suffered irreversible brain damage during birth and should be allowed to die.

Mr Justice Hayden ruled on Friday, at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court, that doctors could lawfully disconnect Danny from a ventilator and stop providing life-support treatment.

Mr Justice Hayden heard that Miss Jones had not told anyone that she was pregnant.

He was told that she had collapsed for no apparent reason and was declared dead on arrival at hospital.

The judge heard that Ms Jones's boyfriend, Ozzy Godfrey, also 18, was thought to be Danny's father.

He said relatives agreed that Danny should be allowed to die.

Mr Justice Hayden, who is based in London, considered the case at a virtual public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court on Friday.

He said Danny and his parents could be named in media reports.

But the judge said the hospital where Danny was being cared for could not be named, and medics treating him could not be identified.

He also said no photographs of Danny could be published.

Bosses at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust had asked Mr Justice Hayden to decide what moves were in Danny's best interests.

At the time, friends said Danielle didn't know she was pregnant, and a GoFundMe page set up by a loved one described it as an "unknown pregnancy".

Devastated Ozzy, 18, then posted heartbreaking photos of two-day-old Danny in hospital as he wrote on Facebook: "I’m having a baby boy, what Dani would have wanted. Such a shame she won’t meet him."

He added: "Everyone meet Danny Godfrey, my baby boy. He looks just like his mother. I’m fighting for you little man, keep strong for me as well, don’t leave on me now."

Paramedics and police were called to Danielle's home just before noon on Sunday, January 17.

She was taken to hospital, but died, said police.

Friends told the Mirror that Danielle's newborn son Danny was named after her as a tribute to the mum he will never meet.

One friend, who went to school with Danielle, hailed Ozzy for his courage and strength while mourning his girlfriend and being by his baby's side.

Dad Ozzy, who had been in a relationship with Danielle for about two years, posted pictures showing Danny hooked up to machines in hospital.

As he paid tribute to Danielle, who would have turned 19 in March, he wrote: "RIP babe I can’t believe that I have lost you.

"I loved you more than anything in the world.

"I will look after our little one that was born today (Sunday).

"I’m so broke I can’t believe it. I tried my best babe.

"I will make our baby proud of you."

Danielle loved horses and friends were raising money to pay for a horse and carriage to carry her body during a funeral procession.

Ozzy wrote: "Thanks to everyone who is donating towards my girl's dream horse and carriage.

"She has always said that would be what she wanted at her funeral.

"It makes me so happy knowing everyone is helping.

"You have all been amazing and helped me and the family and Dani's family through it.

"Let’s keep strong and give Danielle Jones, my everything, the best send-off she could have."

The page stated: "Our beautiful friend Danielle lost her life and her baby boy Danny was brought into this world.

"Danielle loved horses and it would mean the world to the family if she got her horse and carriage send-off.

"She was so innocent and kind and it has been a real shock to us all.

"Danielle's beautiful boy baby Danny is still in the hospital and the family have nothing for him as this was an unknown pregnancy any help would be greatly appreciated.

"Let's give Danielle the send-off she deserves."

She added: "Danielle was caring and amazing. She always put a smile on your face when you were feeling down.

"And she always put other people before herself. I will miss everything about her - how close we was, how much mischief we got up together back in school and how much she made me laugh.

"She will be missed by many people. I refuse to believe she’s gone but she really is."

Another pal said: "I was really shocked when I found out, I couldn’t speak. I think Ozzy and the family are finding it hard.

"She was 18, definitely gone way too soon."

The friend added: "She was really funny and if you were sad, she’d always be the one to cheer you up. She had a heart of gold. She was always up for a laugh.

"She will be greatly missed and it’s a shame with Covid (restrictions) that not a lot of us can go to her funeral."

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said at the time that the young mother died after giving birth at a home.

The spokesperson said: "We were called by the ambulance service to attend a property in Bratton Road, Bristol, at just before midday (on Sunday).

"A woman who was at the property was treated at the scene and taken to hospital, but sadly she has died.

"Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and we’re carrying out further enquiries."Follow the Official Rokna NEWS Telegram Channel For More and fresh NEWS.

Mirror