A UK-based Nigerian nurse, Ruth Auta, has been sentenced to three years in prison after leaving her 10-week-old baby, Joshua Akerele, alone to die while she went to work.
The incident occurred on December 20, 2022, when Auta, 28, abandoned her infant son in her nurse’s accommodation to complete an eight-hour shift at Royal Bolton Hospital.
When Auta returned to her room, she found Joshua lifeless in his cot and immediately called emergency services, telling operators, “My son is not breathing.” Initially, Auta claimed that she had collected Joshua from a childminder after work, fed him, placed him on her bed, and then fell asleep next to him. She said she found him unresponsive when she woke up.
However, her story fell apart when police discovered CCTV footage showing Auta leaving and entering her accommodation without Joshua on the day of the incident. Further investigation revealed incriminating text messages where Auta urged her childminder to falsely say she was caring for Joshua that day. The childminder later informed officers that she hadn’t seen the baby for several days.
Auta was charged with cruelty to a child and pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on May 24, 2024. The case was adjourned for sentencing, but by June 6, Auta attempted to flee the country. She was detained at Gatwick Airport while trying to board a one-way flight to Nigeria.
At her sentencing at Bolton Crown Court, Sara Davie, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, commented, “Whilst she went to work to provide care for other people, Ruth Auta left the very person who needed her care the most home alone.”
Davie added, “Auta has failed to show remorse throughout the case. She misled police about her childcare arrangements and then tried to evade justice by attempting to flee the country. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who have been affected by Joshua’s death.”
