DECLAN WALTON FIFE MAN LEAVES BABY IN ICU WITH BRAIN INJURY
In June 2020, a tragic incident unfolded at a property in Glenrothes, Fife, involving a 10-week-old infant who suffered severe injuries that would alter the course of his life forever.The baby, whose identity remains protected, was left in a critical condition after an assault that caused extensive brain damage, leading to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and a prognosis that he would likely never attain independent living.
Declan Walton, a 31-year-old former soldier from Fife, was initially charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack.
However, last week, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault causing severe injury, permanent impairment, and endangering the child's life.
The incident took place at Walton's residence, where he was accused of shaking the infant or using other means to inflict harm.
Following his guilty plea, Walton now faces sentencing scheduled for January.
During this period, he has publicly expressed his feelings about the ordeal, posting on Facebook—though the post has since been deleted—that he has endured what he called the 'hardest months of his life.' In his words, he wrote, “It’s been 4 months since seeing or hearing anything about (the baby).
This has been the hardest 4 months of my entire life but it won’t be much longer.” The child's mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous, responded with outrage and heartbreak.
She described Walton as “a monster” and expressed her anguish over the irreversible damage inflicted upon her son.
She explained that her child will require a feeding tube because the injury has rendered him unable to eat normally, and that he will likely never walk again.
She further condemned Walton, stating, “He won’t be able to eat again.
He will have to get a tube put into his stomach to feed him because the tube going down his nose is not practical for a long time.
They also said he will not be able to walk either.
I would like to thank the horrible monster that done this to him.” She also challenged Walton’s claims of medical necessity, asserting that all tests and scans conducted on her son confirmed that the injuries were not due to any medical condition but were inflicted intentionally.
“This was done to him by this monster,” she declared, calling for public exposure to ensure Walton’s accountability and truthfulness.
On November 29, during a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, it was revealed that the baby had been a healthy, happy infant during his first ten weeks of life, with no concerns raised by health visitors.
However, the situation changed dramatically immediately after the attack.
Witnesses reported that Walton began shouting, “He’s not responding.
He’s not breathing,” prompting the child's mother to find her son limp and unresponsive.
Emergency services were called immediately.
Paramedics arriving at the scene found the baby unresponsive, with no detectable pulse.
He was rushed to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, where medical teams worked tirelessly to resuscitate him.
Advocate depute Leanne Cross described the scene: “On arrival he was noted to be pale and floppy.
He was not breathing on his own and required extensive resuscitation.” Subsequent medical investigations included a CT scan revealing intracranial hemorrhaging.
The infant was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, where he was placed in intensive care.
Over time, he was gradually weaned off ventilation but continued to require oxygen and suctioning.
Surgeons performed a procedure to drain blood and reduce pressure on his brain, and he was later moved to a standard ward.
Medical experts concluded that the injuries were “highly suggestive of abusive head trauma,” with a specialist neuroradiologist affirming that the findings could be explained only by non-accidental head injury.
Despite denying any involvement in shaking the child out of anger, Walton’s account was inconsistent with the medical evidence.
The child's condition remains grave.
He now suffers from cerebral palsy, with significant limitations across all motor functions.
He is fed via a tube and requires constant care—two caregivers for every shift.
The lead clinician emphasized that, given the nature of brain injuries, the prognosis for independent living is extremely poor.
During the hearing, Lord Weir noted the seriousness of Walton’s guilty plea, stating, “The offence to which you have plead guilty is clearly of the first order of seriousness.” He ordered a background report before sentencing, as Walton has no prior criminal record.
The case has been adjourned to the High Court in Inverness, with a new hearing scheduled for January 9.
Walton’s bail was continued pending sentencing.
