The little girl who didn’t stand a chance: Baby was born severely premature after her mum tried to abort her and lived in a ‘house not fit for human habitation’ before she was shaken to death at just five months old

A five-month-old girl who was shaken to death was born severely premature after her mother tried to abort her, an inquest has heard.

The little girl – known only as Baby BE – died in May 2019 after suffering a catastrophic brain injury.

An inquest in Perth heard on Tuesday that the child had lived in a house not fit for 'human habitation' in the weeks leading up to her death.

A five-month-old girl who was shaken to death was born severely premature after her mother tried to abort her, an inquest has heard (file photo)

BE was taken to Joondalup Health Campus by her parents on May 21 because she refused to eat. Western Australian reported from the study.

She suffered seizures and was taken to Perth Children's Hospital, where she was found to have suffered 'serious non-accidental injuries'. She died five days later.

BE was also found to have 16 rib fractures and seven other bone fractures, which she suffered in the 10 days before she was taken to hospital.

Both her parents were initially arrested on suspicion of murder, but were later released without charge. No one has been arrested in connection with BE's death.

The Coroner heard that BE's mother attempted to terminate her own pregnancy at 23 weeks, leading to her premature birth.

Clinical specialist nurse Sara Stephens told the inquest she tried unsuccessfully to arrange several visits to BE's parents' home after the mother and baby were discharged from hospital and a colleague noticed the little girl had a bruise on her jaw had.

Mrs Stephens was shocked when she was finally allowed into the property.

“I've never been in a house with live wires in the ceiling and broken glass in the windows,” the nurse told the court.

'I was so shocked that someone lived there. I didn't understand how they were there. This was a family that did have access to resources. It all didn't make sense to me.'

She added that she suspected the mother was a victim of domestic violence, saying that while the mother did not say she was physically abused, she did say she was not allowed to make decisions and “had no control over the finances.” .

Mrs Stephens felt that the baby was calmer than babies usually are at that age, but that she had gained weight and was getting on well with her mother.

Senior registrar in pediatrics Dr. Sheeba Qamer, who assessed BE after her bruised jaw was noticed, said he noticed a scratch on her nostril but said the baby was gaining weight.

The investigation continues.