Paramedic foster mum ‘killed baby she was adopting after losing her temper in fit of rage’
A paramedic foster mum killed the baby she was adopting after "losing her temper" in a fit of rage before pretending the child fell from her knee, a court has heard.
Sarah Higgins, 42, is accused of inflicting devastating brain injuries on 10-month-old Skyla while caring for the baby at home.
Higgins dialled 999 and told the operator the child had slipped from her arms while being fed and had fallen to floor on to her bottom.
The paramedic is accused of causing the fatal injuries after losing her temper and subjecting the baby to a "non-accidental violent action".
Jurors were told the child's injuries were the type consistent of a child falling from a first-floor window.
Higgins appeared in the dock at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday charged with manslaughter at the start of of a five-week trial.
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The court heard Higgins and her husband Martin Dobson, both paramedics, were in the process of adopting Skyla when she died on 26 August, 2017.
Jurors heard a recording of the 999 call Higgins made from her home in Huddersfield, in which she told the operator that the baby was unconscious and unresponsive.
Higgins told the operator she had been struggling to feed Skyla and dropped the child on to a carpeted floor from a low height as she tried to turn her around.
The defendant claimed Skyla had landed on her bottom or lower legs and did not strike her head during the fall.
Skyla was rushed to hospital where she underwent a scan, which revealed bleeding and swelling on the brain.
Prosecutor Richard Wright QC said there were also bruises on the baby's arm that could not be explained by the defendant.
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He said doctors also found evidence of bleeding to her eyes, which indicated a severe trauma.
Wright said the baby's injuries clearly indicated that Higgins killed Skyla in a violent assault.
Skyla, who suffered devastating brain injuries, died at Leeds General Infirmary two days later.
Wright told the jury it was the crown's case that Higgins had experienced a "loss of temper".
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He added: "Regrettably, that unlawful action caused Skyla's death and so we say that defendant is guilty of manslaughter."
Higgins denies manslaughter.
The trial continues.
