Police: Herefordshire mum murdering her baby 'utterly heart-breaking'
The Crown Prosecution Service has said the baby's short life was filled with pain and suffering
West Mercia Police has said it’s "utterly heart-breaking" that a teenage mum from Herefordshire could murder her own new-born.
Officers who investigated the death of Stanley Mayo in Ross-on-Wye in 2019 said his mum Paris Mayo tried to hide her pregnancy from those who could have, and would have, supported her.
The Crown Prosecution Service called it a “tragic and complex” case, adding: “Stanley Mayo’s short life was filled with pain and suffering when he should have been nurtured and loved.
"The prosecution built a case based on medical evidence which proved that Paris Mayo’s actions were deliberate, she chose to hide her pregnancy, give birth alone and kill her baby, then hide his body despite accepting that she had a family who would have supported her.
"I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of this difficult case."
She was found guilty of murder by the jury at Worcester Crown Court, breaking down in tears and sobbing as she was led down from the dock.
The court had been told Stanley was born at the family home in Springfield Road on March 23rd 2019 and within hours was dead after being assaulted by his mum, with cotton wool balls found stuffed in his mouth.
Senior investigating officer for the case Detective Inspector Julie Taylor, said: “Paris Mayo, who was 15 years old at the time, claimed Stanley was born cold, did not make any noise and hit his head on the floor when he was born.
“She did not alert anyone to the birth of Stanley, or the fact he had died. She claimed she did not know she was pregnant at the time.
“Today, following a six-week trial at Worcester Crown Court a jury found Mayo was in fact responsible for his death; and attempted to conceal her pregnancy from those who could’ve, and would’ve, supported her.
“The death of a new-born baby is utterly heart-breaking, even more so when the person who is responsible is the baby’s own mother.
“This has been a devastating case for the investigative team to deal with and I would like to thank those involved for their outstanding efforts to ensure justice has been done today.”
Mayo, 19 and of Raurdean in Gloucestershire, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Monday.