Dad arrested in death of 2-month-old daughter (Shoebury, England, United Kingdom)

Dad TOM SMITH has been arrested after the 2-month-old daughter he assaulted died from severe head injuries.

http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/southend/4550446.Baby_s_death__Father_arrested/

Baby's death in Shoebury: Father arrested
8:20pm Monday 17th August 2009

A BABY girl has died after allegedly being assaulted by her father.

Two-month-old Chantelle Pilkington, from Shoebury, died after spending four days on a life support machine at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Her father, Tom Smith, who was living in Friars Street, Shoebury, was arrested on suspicion of causing her grevious bodily harm and has been released on police bail.

The baby was taken to Southend Hospital last Sunday, suffering from head injuries and died on Thursday.

Her devastated mum, Claire Pilkington, 20, who was living with fiance Mr Smith in Friars Street, Shoebury, wept as she spoke about her beloved daughter.

She told the Echo: “When they switched her off, I held her in my arms for half an hour before she died.

“I sat with her in my arms until she turned blue. No mum should have to bury her own child.”

In her final moments, Chantelle was surrounded by her distraught family while on a life support machine at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after being transferred there from Southend.

Essex Police spokeswoman Helen Cook said: “Police were contacted by the ambulance service about a two-month-old baby who was taken ill in Friars Street, Shoebury, on August 9.

“She was taken to Southend Hospital and later transferred to Great Ormond Street, suffering from head injuries.

“She, sadly, died on August 13.”

Smith was released on police bail until November 10.