A County Durham mother accused of causing or allowing the death of her baby who was found unresponsive in the bath has appeared in crown court.

Danielle Massey was charged in connection with the death of seven-month-old Charlie Goodall at their home in February 2022.

The 31-year-old made an appearance at Newcastle Crown Court this morning (Tuesday, May 14) for a short hearing.

The charge of 'causing or allowing the death of a child' is in connection to seven-month-old Charlie being found unresponsive in the bath on February 16, 2022, when police were called by paramedics to a house on West Chilton Terrace, in Chilton, County Durham.

The Northern Echo:

He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, but died shortly after arrival.

Massey, who spoke to confirm her name and date of birth, was not asked to enter any plea.

The judge, Mrs Justice Lambert, adjourned the case until a date to be fixed after June 3.

Massey, of Raby Terrace, Chilton, County Durham, was released on conditional bail in the meantime. 

The Northern Echo:

At the time of the incident, a spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said: “Police were called to an address in Chilton shortly before 2.30pm today (Wednesday, February 16).

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The Northern Echo:

“Paramedics also attended, and a baby was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

“Sadly, the baby died shortly after arrival."

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added at the time: "We received a call at 2.08pm this afternoon (February 16) to reports of an incident at a private address in the Ferryhill area.

"We dispatched two ambulance crews and requested support from the Air Ambulance."