NEWCASTLE WOMAN ADMITS TO KILLING HER BABY FOLLOWING FIRE AND DECEPTION
A woman named Danielle Wails, aged 22, has admitted to killing her four-month-old son, Alexander Gallon, by setting fire to her home in Cowgate, Newcastle.She initially claimed that masked intruders had broken in, beat her unconscious, tied her up, and started the fire, which led to a police manhunt.
However, her story was later uncovered as false when suspicions arose due to her lack of injuries and the discovery of the 'stolen' house key hidden in her laundry basket.
It was revealed that Danielle Wails had been suffering from post-natal depression and was struggling to cope following her breakup with the child's father, Robert Gallon, 21.
She had also texted a friend expressing thoughts of suicide the day before the incident.
Court proceedings heard that she deliberately ignited the fire intending to kill her son, although she claimed she was unaware of her actions at the time.
Psychiatric experts diagnosed her with post-natal depression, and her defense argued that her mental state was disturbed, which should influence sentencing.
She pleaded guilty to infanticide, and the court has adjourned sentencing until October 20 for further psychiatric assessment.
Prosecutors maintain that she intended to kill her child but did not intend to take her own life.
Wails is one of a small number of women who have recently pleaded guilty to infanticide, with precedent suggesting she could receive a non-custodial sentence.
The incident shocked the nation, with neighbors and police describing her as a distressed mother in a difficult situation.
