MERCEDES FOSTER SHAKES BABY IN SUTTON IN ASHFIELD AND GRIMSBY LEAVING HER WITH SEVERE BRAIN DAMAGE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Grimsby and Sutton in Ashfield, Mercedes Foster, a 20-year-old woman, was found responsible for inflicting catastrophic injuries on her infant daughter. The incident unfolded after a heated argument, during which Foster, in a moment of anger and frustration, shook her three-and-a-half-month-old baby girl, causing severe and irreversible brain damage.

According to court proceedings, the tragic events began in Grimsby, where Foster was residing on Beeson Street with her boyfriend. At the time, the household was crowded with five children under the age of eight, including the infant victim, who was born prematurely in August 2012. The situation escalated on December 7, 2012, when a neighbor, hearing the distressing sounds of a child screaming, contacted social services. A subsequent visit revealed the baby was peacefully sleeping in a pushchair, and social workers found no immediate concerns regarding the welfare of the children present.

However, the situation deteriorated further. Another neighbor later reported hearing an argument between Foster and her boyfriend, who was also the father of the baby. During this period, the infant was crying, and Foster claimed she had grabbed her daughter and shaken her for three or four seconds in an attempt to stop her from crying. Foster insisted that her actions were solely to quiet the child and that she believed the baby had gone to sleep afterward. Despite her claims, the severity of the injuries was evident.

On December 8, 2012, Foster contacted an out-of-hours medical service at 2:40 pm, reporting that her daughter appeared pale and was refusing food. The following morning, at 6 am, she dialed emergency services, claiming her daughter had begun twitching the night before. An ambulance was dispatched, and upon arrival, paramedics found the baby in the midst of a seizure. The child continued to seize during the ambulance ride to the hospital, where she was transferred to Sheffield for specialized care. Medical professionals quickly suspected non-accidental trauma, as there were no external bruises or skull fractures, but the severity of her brain injuries was undeniable.

Foster was promptly arrested, and during police interviews, she admitted to shaking her daughter. She also confessed to lying or withholding information from hospital staff and authorities. The baby was subsequently placed in foster care in May of the following year. Despite making some progress, the child's condition remained grave. She was approaching her second birthday but exhibited developmental abilities comparable to a nine-month-old infant. Her prognosis was bleak, requiring constant care and supervision, and her developmental delays were expected to persist indefinitely.

Legal proceedings culminated in Judge David Tremberg condemning Foster’s actions. The judge emphasized that a parent’s duty is to provide a safe and nurturing environment, which Foster egregiously failed to do. He described her behavior as a grave breach of trust, noting that her momentary loss of control resulted in lifelong suffering for her daughter. The judge highlighted that the severe brain damage inflicted was irreparable and that the child's suffering would continue for the rest of her life.

Foster’s attempt to shift blame and her failure to fully disclose the incident were characterized as gross irresponsibility. She was sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders’ institution, a punishment reflecting the seriousness of her actions and the profound impact on her innocent victim.