Finding into death of Mathew Duraid Jameel

0y · Male·Head injury

A 7-month-old boy died from severe head trauma following an unwitnessed incident on 6 June 2018. The child was found unconscious after reportedly being pushed from a highchair by his 4-year-old brother and died 4 days later. The coroner held a mandatory inquest due to unclear circumstances. Expert medical evidence showed the child had a constellation of injuries (subdural haemorrhages, retinal haemorrhages, brain swelling, neck ligament injury) highly suggestive of abusive head trauma or violent shaking with/without impact. Most experts considered the parents' account of a highchair fall implausible given the severity and pattern of injuries, particularly the extensive retinal findings. However, the coroner found the mechanism of injury could not be definitively proven. The case was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions due to suspicion of indictable offence, but no criminal finding was made.