Leicester Mercury 2 Oct 2010

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Mum-killed-baby-lay-asleep/article-2713419-detail/article.html

Mum who had taken a cocktail of drugs killed baby as she lay on her while asleep

A mother had taken a cocktail of drugs when she fell asleep and smothered her 17-day-old baby girl to death.

Lisa Marie Riozzi, who was jailed for three years yesterday, dozed off while feeding the child, Chloe.

She woke to find the infant trapped underneath her. She was pale, floppy and with blue lips.

Chloe also suffered a fractured skull in a separate incident in the hour before her death, probably in a fall, but Riozzi cannot remember how it happened.

The 45-year-old, who has four other children – the youngest is 11 – had taken cocaine, heroin and methadone, on October 18, 2007.

Riozzi had neglected the child from birth, leaving her at Leicester Royal Infirmary's maternity ward to buy drugs on the street.

Mary Prior, prosecuting, said nurses were so concerned about Riozzi's inability to cope they delivered a referral form to social services.

Riozzi, of Sharmon Crescent, Braunstone Frith, Leicester, wept at the city's crown court as she was sentenced.

She had admitted two counts of child cruelty by neglect, involving causing or permitting the infant to suffocate and die.

She also admitted a similar cruelty charge by causing or permitting Chloe to sustain fractures to her skull, and failing to ensure she received prompt medical help on the day she died.

Mrs Prior said Riozzi, who used heroin regularly from 1994, initially lied, claiming she found the baby unwell in her Moses basket.

When paramedics offered her a lift to the hospital she declined, saying she wanted "a cup of tea and a fag" before she went.

Later, at hospital, she confessed she had been breastfeeding Chloe and had fallen asleep.

Her barrister, Carl Gaskell, claimed Riozzi was let down by the healthcare system.

But Judge Michael Pert said he disagreed, because she had lied about her situation and concealed her drug use from carers.

Riozzi was originally charged with murder, then manslaughter.

The case was discontinued, only to be resurrected as a cruelty case.

Sentencing Riozzi, Judge Pert told her: "You lied to those who cared for you in hospital about your drug addiction."

He told her she was being sentenced for gross negligence and said: "It has to be custody."

Mrs Prior said that on the day after Chloe's birth, on October 1, the defendant "told a nursery nurse she used heroin". The next day, Chloe was "showing signs of withdrawal".

Nurses persuaded Riozzi to stay a third night at the infirmary, but she was allowed home the next day.

Mrs Prior said: "Chloe came under the daily care of midwives and health visitors and the defendant was visited by drug workers."

The child did not put on weight properly, but Riozzi was noted as being "a good mother".

Mrs Prior said Riozzi, who was 42 at the time, admitted taking heroin the day before Chloe's death.

She told officers that social workers planned to monitor the baby when she left hospital, but did not.

Carl Gaskell, in mitigation, said: "It's not deliberate abuse, it was exposure to risk. It's a great pity she was allowed home when the child was three days old.

"She was failed by the healthcare system.

"She's come to court three years on, when she's been grieving – and she'd lost her father shortly before this baby was born.

"She had a lot of things on her plate with four other children, two of them mentally unwell, and a grandchild to help care for.

"She's the primary carer for her children and it would be a tragic outcome if she went to prison."

A spokesman for Leicester City Council said a Serious Case Review had been completed but details could only be released following the conclusion of an inquest.

The judiciary obviously works when the offender comes from a Council Estate as well as having a drug problem.......

So what you're saying is, Malena, that the way to get away with it is to live in a big, fancy, private house!

The Famous Grouse wrote:So what you're saying is, Malena, that the way to get away with it is to live in a big, fancy, private house!

Yes Grouse, of course having well connected influential friends perhaps with Masonic tendencies is also an advantage.

Government help is very adventageous as well for now.................

buildersbum wrote:Government help is very adventageous as well for now.................

EX-Government help, now!

Interesting to see this article is shown as from the Leicester Mercury, that paper that so staunchly supports the holidaymakers who didn't bother to stay home with their children in the evenings and which refuses to print critical comments about them. So I'm sure the LM will back this woman to the hilt, say she shouldn't be jailed, after all she's already suffered enough and deserves the help and support of all right-thinking people on the planet, or something like that.

And I'm sure her case will be taken up by the likes of Lorraine Kelly or Richard Madely or some of the other liberally-minded individuals who appear to think parents being responsible for looking after their children properly at all times is an out-dated idea and should be got rid of asap.

The Famous Grouse wrote:

buildersbum wrote:Government help is very adventageous as well for now.................

EX-Government help, now!

Sorry FG I mean that Government help been the Labour Government!! let hope that the new Government aint so stupid, but I wont hold breath, but do believe eventually the Mcs will end up in the big chalky

buildersbum wrote:

The Famous Grouse wrote:

buildersbum wrote:Government help is very adventageous as well for now.................

EX-Government help, now!

Sorry FG I mean that Government help been the Labour Government!! let hope that the new Government aint so stupid, but I wont hold breath, but do believe eventually the Mcs will end up in the big chalky

Don't apologise, BB! I jut want to see all their corrupt helpers and favour-granters melting away like snow aff a dyke!

I used to live on a Council Estate - it was nice in some places where there were families who had lived there for generations. Then there were families who reminded me very much of Kate McCann and Nicky Gill - seen plenty of their look-a likes.

http://gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/fmf/nicholagillwithkatemccani8.jpg

http://gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/fmf/nicholagillv2ev5.jpg

Bloody Hell! Is that what being Kate's confidante does to a person??!!!!
What is the timespan difference in those two pics?
What's happened to the Gal?!

the slave wrote:Bloody Hell! Is that what being Kate's confidante does to a person??!!!!
What is the timespan difference in those two pics?
What's happened to the Gal?!

She became a Kate clone!

the slave wrote:Bloody Hell! Is that what being Kate's confidante does to a person??!!!!
What is the timespan difference in those two pics?
What's happened to the Gal?!

Jeez! She certainly doesn't look well in that pic!