ABIGAIL PALMER FROM SOLIHULL SENTENCED FOR MANSLAUGHTER OF BABY TERI-RAE IN WEST MIDLANDS

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Solihull, a mother named Abigail Palmer has been convicted and sentenced for the manslaughter of her two-month-old daughter, Teri-Rae. The heartbreaking incident occurred in January 2017, and the details of the case reveal a disturbing pattern of injury and neglect that ultimately led to the infant’s death.

According to West Midlands Police, Palmer, aged 33 at the time, inflicted severe injuries on her daughter, including crushing her ribcage with such force that ten fractures were caused. These injuries took place between 03:00 GMT and 11:00 GMT on January 2, 2017, after Palmer had returned home from a pub. The injuries she inflicted were so severe that they caused Teri-Rae to suffocate gradually over several hours, leading to her death. Palmer claimed that she had found her daughter “blue and lifeless,” but her account was scrutinized during the investigation.

Initially, authorities did not suspect foul play because no external signs of injury were apparent. However, a detailed skeletal survey later revealed multiple rib fractures, including three healing fractures, and subsequent advanced 3D scans uncovered additional hairline fractures. Medical experts testified that these injuries would have caused significant pain and breathing difficulties for the infant, ultimately resulting in a slow suffocation. The injuries were believed to have been inflicted deliberately, with the intent to silence the crying of the baby, a tragic and disturbing detail that underscored the severity of the case.

Palmer’s account to police was that she had been resting on a sofa with her daughter and woke up to find her unresponsive. She insisted that Teri-Rae was “never out of her sight” and that no one else had mishandled her. Despite this, she could not provide a plausible explanation for the injuries sustained by her daughter. The investigation revealed that Palmer had a history of substance abuse, including testing positive for cocaine during her pregnancy. This raised concerns about her ability to care for her child, especially given that Teri-Rae was born weighing just 4 pounds 7 ounces and was placed under a child protection plan.

Medical examinations showed that some of Teri-Rae’s ribs had buckled or snapped, indicating multiple traumatic injuries. The injuries were not only recent but also included healing fractures from earlier trauma, suggesting ongoing abuse. The baby’s death was initially treated as non-suspicious, but further forensic analysis uncovered the extent of her injuries. The examination also revealed that her brain had suffered damage due to inadequate oxygen flow, a consequence of the injuries inflicted by Palmer.

During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the prosecution argued that Palmer had deliberately caused the injuries by forcefully compressing her daughter’s chest, most likely to stop her from crying. The evidence pointed to a pattern of repeated trauma, with the latest injuries on January 2 being the cause of her death. The court heard that Palmer was the sole caregiver at the time, and no other individual could be responsible for the injuries.

Palmer’s history of substance abuse was a significant factor in the case. She had tested positive for cocaine during her pregnancy, which led to her being monitored closely by healthcare and social services. Despite this, she was seen secretly visiting a pub with her baby and drinking wine, raising questions about her capacity to care for her child. On the day of her daughter’s death, Palmer called emergency services, but paramedics were unable to revive Teri-Rae. Her death was officially confirmed as a result of the injuries inflicted by her mother.

Judge Mrs Justice Lambert, who presided over the case, adjourned sentencing until the following Thursday morning, rejecting Palmer’s application for bail. She stated that a custodial sentence was “inevitable,” given the gravity of the crime. The prosecution’s case was that Palmer’s actions directly caused or contributed to her daughter’s death through a series of forceful injuries that led to respiratory failure and asphyxia. The court’s findings underscored the tragic consequences of neglect and abuse, highlighting the devastating impact on the innocent victim, Teri-Rae, and the profound failure of her mother to protect her.