Baby Died After Mother Went on Vodka Binge to Celebrate Birthday

Baby Died After Mother Went on Vodka Binge to Celebrate Birthday

A tragic case has emerged in Stoke-on-Trent, where a five-month-old baby girl died after her mother spent the night drinking vodka and partying instead of properly caring for her.

Natasha Birks, 37, had sole responsibility for her daughter, Rhian Mahoney, when she placed her on a sofa and began celebrating her birthday with a friend. The two consumed large amounts of vodka mixed with orange juice and Irish cream liqueur, leaving the baby unattended for long stretches of the night.

Prosecutors told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that Birks only checked on Rhian from a distance, occasionally glancing from the dining room doorway, rather than carrying out proper checks. When the infant failed to wake for her usual middle-of-the-night feed, Birks did not notice. By the time paramedics were called the following morning, Rhian had already passed away.

Elaine Radway of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Natasha Birks chose to drink heavily while responsible for her five-month-old baby who was entirely dependent on her. Although she did not cause her child’s death or foresee this devastating outcome, her level of intoxication meant she could not provide the supervision Rhian needed.”

Birks was found guilty of child cruelty. She will be sentenced in December.

The devastating loss of Rhian Mahoney has sent shockwaves through the community, with the court stressing the vital duty of parents to protect vulnerable children.