Man, 21, gave newborn prescription drugs after Googling ‘how to poison a baby’

A man has been jailed for more than 25 years for giving a newborn baby prescription drugs in her milk bottle after Googling ‘how to poison a baby’.

Jamar Bailey, 21, was arrested after the three-week-old girl had been taken to hospital on June 27 last year after becoming listless and unresponsive.

A urine test detected sodium valporate – a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, which could have been potentially fatal to the tiny child.

Detectives found Bailey was taking medication for seizures and a search of his property found a prescription for Epilim Chrono – containing sodium valproate - in his name.

He was arrested on suspicion of wilfully harming a child while further items were seized and toxicology tests carried out.

Bailey searched for ‘how to kill a newborn baby’

Officers found evidence of the drug in the baby’s milk bottle and Google searches on his mobile phone for "how to poison a baby" and "how to kill a newborn baby".

The child survived her ordeal and police said she is "safeguarded and thriving" although it will not be known until she is older if there are any lasting effects.

Bailey, of Winson Green, Birmingham admitted attempted murder in June this year and was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (25 October).

‘The little girl is so lucky to be alive’

Detective Sergeant Kirsty Wilson, from West Midlands Police’s public protection unit, said: “The little girl is so lucky to be alive and we are really pleased that she is doing so well.

“Bailey’s actions were premeditated and could quite easily have resulted in her death.

“Our investigation was complex and relied on medical evidence and the support of partner agencies, so we are satisfied that justice has been done.”

Bailey will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.

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