Two-year-old Reid Steele's mother detained under Mental Health Act
Natalie Steel (32) appeared at Cardiff Crown Court today following the "funny, intelligent and loving" toddler's death in the bath
A mother from Bridgend who killed her two year-old son in the bath has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
"Funny, intelligent and loving" Reid Steel died in August last year.
His mother, 32 year-old Natalie Steele, who was suffering from psychotic depression at the time, appeared today at Cardiff Crown Court.
She had been playing in the bath with two-year-old Reid hours after they returned home from a happy camping holiday.
But she snapped after suffering from psychotic depression, later telling police officers: "I held him under the water" before using her hands to demonstrate how she pressed him down.
Reid was described as "super, super-happy, gorgeous, wonderful and intelligent little boy".
His family have released a statement this afternoon warning mental health conditions may not always visible until it is too late:
“Our lives have changed forever. We will always have a piece missing from our family. Reid was the most loved, beautiful, funny, intelligent and loving little boy, who touched the hearts of everyone he met. Natalie really was a wonderful mother.
“He had a wonderful life which was filled with holidays and fun adventures collecting shells and pebbles on the beach with Natalie. He spent so much time with his family who loved him so very much. The pain we feel at Reid’s loss can never be properly expressed with words.
“As a family, we unanimously agree that the Judge’s decision today was the right one. Natalie will continue to receive the treatment she needs, to hopefully, in time, get better.
“Mental health conditions can sometimes be frightening, complicated and most importantly, not always visible until it is too late. But there is help out there. Please don’t be afraid to reach out.”