An Adelaide mother who pleaded guilty to criminal neglect for failing to get her newborn urgent medical care will serve her entire four-and-a-half year sentence on home detention.
Rebecca Lea Denton, 35, appeared in the District Court charged over the death of her 21-day-old baby, Alvin in April 2021.
During sentencing submissions, the court heard Alvin was suffering from fractured ribs and brain bleeding allegedly at the hand of his father Ashley McGregor, who has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Prosecutors told the court, as a result of his alleged injuries, Alvin wasn’t feeding, moving or responding.
They alleged McGregor suggested to Denton she blow second hand smoke near Alvin’s face to wake him up because he may have had cannabis withdrawal as a result of Denton smoking during pregnancy.
During sentencing, Judge Rauf Soulio said Denton had not caused Alvin’s injuries, but she failed to provide or obtain medical care for her newborn despite having heard the baby gargling and grunting during the night.
On April 23, Alvin was taken unresponsive to Noarlunga Hospital.
Prosecutors said there was a 42-hour window between the time Alvin was injured and died in which his life could have been saved if medical attention was sought.
The court heard Denton’s teenage son is heartbroken over the loss of his sibling and “feels sick” that it was at the hands of his mother.
Denton’s lawyer had previously argued in court her client was in a “domineering, coercive and controlling” relationship, but she was otherwise a loving mother who deeply regretted her actions.
Denton will be eligible for parole in two-and-a-half-years.
(7 NEWS)
