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Drugs found in dead baby's body Drugs found in dead baby's body
(3 days later)
An inquest into the death of a premature baby has heard the child had both heroin and methadone in his body.An inquest into the death of a premature baby has heard the child had both heroin and methadone in his body.
Month-old Jay Clarke's parents Katy Benson and David Clarke, from Cardiff, were both prescribed methadone because they had previously taken drugs.Month-old Jay Clarke's parents Katy Benson and David Clarke, from Cardiff, were both prescribed methadone because they had previously taken drugs.
The couple denied giving any drugs to Jay and an expert said he could not say how they got into the baby's body.The couple denied giving any drugs to Jay and an expert said he could not say how they got into the baby's body.
He stopped breathing four times, suffering severe brain damage on the last occasion and died in April 2008. He stopped breathing four times, suffering severe brain damage on the last occasion and died in April 2009.
The inquest heard his life support system was switched off.The inquest heard his life support system was switched off.
An expert said he could not say how the drugs got into Jay's body.An expert said he could not say how the drugs got into Jay's body.
Consultant toxicologist Dr Simon Elliot said he found methadone in Jay's blood and heroin in a sample of his hair, but was not certain how the drugs were transmitted to him.Consultant toxicologist Dr Simon Elliot said he found methadone in Jay's blood and heroin in a sample of his hair, but was not certain how the drugs were transmitted to him.
Cardiff coroner's court heard the methadone could have been transferred while still in the womb, through breast milk while breastfeeding, or someone could have given the two drugs to him.Cardiff coroner's court heard the methadone could have been transferred while still in the womb, through breast milk while breastfeeding, or someone could have given the two drugs to him.
WithdrawalWithdrawal
On Monday, a substance misuse midwife told the inquest mothers who were on stable methadone programmes were encouraged to breast feed as only a very small amount passed through the milk and it could counteract any withdrawal problems for the baby.On Monday, a substance misuse midwife told the inquest mothers who were on stable methadone programmes were encouraged to breast feed as only a very small amount passed through the milk and it could counteract any withdrawal problems for the baby.
Both parents denied giving drugs to their son. Ms Benson said she found the idea "repugnant", and told the court she never took heroin when she was pregnant or after Jay was born.Both parents denied giving drugs to their son. Ms Benson said she found the idea "repugnant", and told the court she never took heroin when she was pregnant or after Jay was born.
Mr Clarke said he would not even smoke cigarettes in their flat in the Ely area of Cardiff.Mr Clarke said he would not even smoke cigarettes in their flat in the Ely area of Cardiff.
The inquest has previously heard the flat was very damp, and smelt. Ms Benson said it was impossible to rid the flat of mould and damp, and said the walls felt wet to the touch.The inquest has previously heard the flat was very damp, and smelt. Ms Benson said it was impossible to rid the flat of mould and damp, and said the walls felt wet to the touch.
She said the council told the pair to open windows and keep the heating on high, but they could not afford to do it, and the premises remained cold.She said the council told the pair to open windows and keep the heating on high, but they could not afford to do it, and the premises remained cold.
Pathologist Dr Derek James was not able to give a cause of death, but said Jay could have simply stopped breathing or it could be an unexplained natural death.Pathologist Dr Derek James was not able to give a cause of death, but said Jay could have simply stopped breathing or it could be an unexplained natural death.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.