Ruth Auta jailed over death of Joshua Akerele, a 10-week-old baby that she abandoned for eight hours

A nurse whose 10-week-old baby died after she left him alone and went to work has been jailed.

Single mother Ruth Auta, 28, abandoned Joshua Akerele at her nurses’ accommodation for 8 hours to work a shift on December 20, 2022.

When she returned, she found her son lifeless in his cot and called emergency services, telling operators her son was not breathing.

The infant was pronounced dead an hour later, with tests showing he may have “overheated” due to the layers of clothing and bedding he was wrapped in.

Auta initially told police she had collected Joshua from a childminder after finishing work, took him back home, fed him and then fell asleep next to him.

She claimed that when she woke up, she found him unresponsive.

However, CCTV showed her leaving and entering her accommodation without Joshua on the day of the tragedy.

In text messages, she also urged her childminder to falsely say she was looking after Joshua that day.

Auta was charged with cruelty to a child and pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates Court on May 24 this year. Her case was adjourned for a month before a sentencing hearing.

On June 6, Auta, who worked at the Royal Bolton Hospital, was detained at Gatwick Airport while trying to board a flight to her native Nigeria after buying a one-way ticket.

She was jailed for three years at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.

Sara Davie, prosecuting, said: “Whilst she went to work to provide care for other people, Ruth Auta left the very person who needed her care the most home alone.”

“As a nurse, she should have known the dangers of leaving her baby unattended.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).