SIMONE PERRY'S TRAGIC NEGLIGENCE IN NORTHAMPTON LEADS TO 22-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE

A devastating incident in Northampton has resulted in a mother being sentenced to nearly two years behind bars after her five-month-old son, Renzo, drowned in a bath due to her momentary distraction. The heartbreaking case highlights the dangers of parental negligence and the tragic consequences that can arise from seemingly minor lapses in supervision.

On January 27, 2019, Simone Perry, aged 27, left her infant son unattended in a bath for approximately five minutes. During this brief period, she was engaged with her mobile phone, sending a WhatsApp message and making a phone call. Unbeknownst to her, her son managed to slip out of his bath seat and into about 13 centimeters of water, where he tragically drowned. The court heard that Perry believed her son was safe while she was distracted, but the reality was far more perilous.

The trial at Northampton Crown Court revealed the full details of the incident, with the jury convicting Perry of gross negligence manslaughter in March. The court was told that upon discovering Renzo's lifeless body, Perry immediately called emergency services and attempted to resuscitate him. During her testimony, she admitted that she had left her son alone for roughly four minutes, a period during which the tragedy occurred. The judge, Adrienne Lucking QC, emphasized the gravity of her actions during sentencing, stating, "On discovering Renzo, you immediately called the emergency services and tried to resuscitate him. When the paramedics arrived, you told them that you had left your baby for about four minutes... and it was your fault."

Further scrutiny revealed that Perry did not initially disclose her phone usage during police interviews, with the court noting that her later statements appeared to be an attempt to mislead authorities. The judge expressed concern that Perry remained in denial about her role in her child's death, underscoring the inherent dangers of leaving a young child unattended in a bath, especially when distracted by a mobile device. The court highlighted that such negligence poses a serious risk of death or injury, and her failure to recognize this was a critical factor in the sentencing decision.

Despite her barrister's plea for a non-custodial sentence, citing her remorse and ongoing psychological issues, the court determined that an immediate custodial sentence was warranted. The judge acknowledged Perry's remorse but emphasized that the severity and preventability of the incident justified her 22-month imprisonment, reflecting the tragic consequences of her momentary distraction and neglect.