Finding into death of Chloe Mary Murphy

1y · Female·head injury from non-accidental trauma

Chloe Murphy, an 11-month-old girl, died from severe head injuries on 5 December 2010 after being left in the care of a babysitter (Mrs Jenkins) on 3 December. Medical assessment revealed a skull fracture, bilateral subdural haematomas, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral oedema, extensive bilateral retinal haemorrhages, traumatic diffuse axonal injury, and arm fractures. Expert evidence established these injuries resulted from non-accidental injury requiring multiple traumatic mechanisms: severe shaking with rotational forces, arm twisting/hyperextension, and impact to the head. Chloe was normal and healthy when left at 8pm; deterioration occurred within hours, likely around 9-10pm. The coroner found Mrs Jenkins caused these injuries. Clinical lesson: recognition of non-accidental injury patterns, particularly the classic triad of bilateral subdural haematoma, encephalopathy and retinal haemorrhages in infants, requires careful documentation and multi-disciplinary expert consultation.