Mother, 32, died of cardiac arrest 14 hours after her five-month-old baby passed away co-sleeping

A “bereaved” mother went into cardiac arrest and died just 14 hours after her baby died suddenly in a suspected co-sleeping tragedy, an inquest has learned.

Emergency services rushed to Viktorija Mardosiene’s home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, in the early hours of August 9 last year after receiving reports that her five-month-old son Kevin Deguitas was not breathing and had a cold.

Paramedics fought to save him and took him to Royal Stoke University Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.

His 32-year-old mother later reported to the mental health department at Harplands Hospital and told staff there that she was bereft of her child’s death.

While there, the Lithuanian national went into cardiac arrest and later died in the same hospital as her son.

Viktorija in the picture with her baby Kevin’s father Arturas

The ‘deprived’ mother went into cardiac arrest and died just 14 hours after her baby died suddenly in a suspected co-sleeping tragedy

Duncan Richie, the North Staffordshire coroner, has now opened and adjourned the inquests as further inquiries were required.

During the hearing into Kevin’s death, a statement was heard from PC Tyler Lowe who said, ‘The living room was extremely cluttered with boxes and toys on the floor.

“We heard from the paramedics that he couldn’t breathe and a tube was put in his mouth and throat.

‘We approached Viktorija to inquire, she said ‘No English’. We kept some distance. She was on the phone with the baby’s father and asked, “Is my baby dead?”. She started to cry.

“We heard how she put the baby to bed at 11 p.m. to sleep. At 1:34 a.m., we learned that the doctors had stopped CPR and suspended life care. Viktorija was then taken to hospital.’

DC Craig Flowers, of the Staffordshire Police’s Child Protection Unit, described conditions in the house.

DC Flowers said, “It would be fair to say the house was found in a state of disarray. I went to the address the day after and can confirm that she slept in a double bed. There were empty cans of alcohol in the bedroom.

Viktorija was breathed in at the scene and her level was found to be 40 mcg/ml. The drunk driving limit is 35.

“It’s fair to say she was in an understandably upset state. She screamed, screamed and rocked back and forth screaming “kill me”.

‘In the past there were concerns about domestic problems. There was a history of contact between emergency services and the couple.”

Consultant pediatric pathologist Dr Roger Malcomson stated: ‘What we are left with is a baby who died while sleeping with a parent. There is no specific medical cause of death after a comprehensive autopsy.

The inquest heard that Viktorija (pictured right) was on the phone with Kevin’s father Arturas (pictured left) when paramedics tried to resuscitate the baby

Paramedics fought to save the baby and took him to Royal Stoke University Hospital (pictured), but he was later pronounced dead.

Dr. Oluwafemi Popoola, a specialist in psychiatry, said Ms Mardosiene was “upset and crying uncontrollably” and said “kill me” when she arrived at Harplands Hospital (pictured)

“There are issues associated with co-sleeping, including overlays. There is also a risk of hypothermia and narrowing of the airways. There is nothing sufficient to suggest a specific cause of death.

“I would consider an unknown cause of death. With the debate over whether this was a natural or unnatural death, I don’t think there is enough evidence to suggest either.”

An inquest opened after Ms Mardosiene’s death learned that she was voluntarily taken to Harplans, where she complained of chest pains.

Later that afternoon, she suddenly collapsed and at 3:53 p.m. she was confirmed dead — just 14 hours after her baby’s death.

Dr. Oluwafemi Popoola, a specialist in psychiatry, said: ‘She was met by the deputy ward manager and had periods when she was upset and crying uncontrollably. However, she handled the service well. She had high blood pressure.

She had not reported any self-harm or suicide prior to her son’s death. However, she said “kill me”.

‘She had no previous contact with the GGZ. She was given diazepam before her death. The dosage was the correct and safe amount.’

A toxicologist’s report showed that while there was a small amount of diazepam, there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system. There was not enough to indicate drug toxicity.

Dr. Andrew Hitchcock, the coroner’s pathologist who conducted a post-mortem examination, said: ‘There were no external injuries. However, a granular material was found in the abdomen. It’s similar to the medication people take, the kind you see in open capsules.

‘It looked like a pharmaceutical, although I can’t say for sure. It is definitely taken by mouth.

“Based on probabilities, I can’t determine exactly what the medical cause of death is. The granular materials themselves were not toxic, as they were not mentioned in the report. They would have been taken within 14 hours of death, but I can’t say exactly when.’