Baby boy died in the arms of mother accused of causing his death

Corinthian Kemp suffered a brain injury after he was born at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in August 2007 and lost his battle for life in August 2009.

Bradford Coroners Court heard he had been at the centre of a two-year murder investigation and was finally to be laid to rest after dying in the arms of the mother accused of causing his death.

The inquest was told that the child had died from an infection due to a head injury, possibly from his head being banged against his cot shortly after birth.

Three separate post mortems had been carried out including two by experts working for Corinthian’s young parents Caroline Kemp and Thomas Corcoran, who have been accused of causing or allowing his death.

Corcoran, of Croft Gardens, Birkby, Huddersfield, and Kemp, of Erringden Road, Mytholmroyd, both 21, have been bailed to appear at Leeds Crown Court on November 11 for a plea and case management hearing.

A trial, expected to last for five weeks, has been listed for February 13 next year.

Yesterday’s inquest opening was told Corinthian had been born on August 6, 2007, and was immediately subject to a protection order because of concerns about parenting abilities.

The court heard Corinthian was settled in his cot after his birth and both parents had access to the baby.

Coroners officer Stephen Hepplestone said that at 3pm Mr Corcoran told staff the baby was “floppy” and the couple were advised to feed the child which they did.

At 6.40pm, after Thomas Corcoran had raised his concerns an examination showed that the infant, which was previously pink and healthy, had bruising to the face and neck.

The baby was taken to a special care baby unit, examined and give a scan which revealed intercranial bleeding.

The parents left the hospital at 9.30pm and Mr Hepplestone said: “It was suggested the child had been dropped in the cot while being picked up.”

He added that it was believed to be a “non-accidental injury”.

An investigation was launched but the Crown Prosecution Service decided initially not to prosecute.

When interviewed, Corinthian’s father made no comment but Kemp “admitted taking the child from the cot because he was choking and banging his head accidentally on the cot”, Mr Hepplestone told the hearing.

Corinthian was fostered out to Dewsbury and then Manchester.

His injuries meant he suffered from cerebral palsy, blindness and epilepsy.

“He was expected to live for two years – which he did almost to the day,” continued Mr Heppleston.

“His mother held the child while being supervised and the child died in her arms.” He was certified dead on August 7, 2009, the day after his second birthday.

Greater Manchester Police then reopened the case with West Yorkshire Police.

Jurisdiction passed to West Yorkshire Police and the first post mortem was carried out at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

This showed death was due to bilateral bronchopneumonia due to an infection which had developed because of the original head injury associated with cerebral palsy.

This time the CPS did decide to prosecute and both parents appeared before Huddersfield magistrates in July and were bailed.

For the police, Det Supt Sukhbir Singh told the court: “I’m satisfied all the post mortem work that is required has been completed and I can see no valid reason for retaining the body,”

West Yorkshire Coroner Prof Paul Marks agreed to release the remains to the child’s grandmother who had taken charge of the funeral arrangements.

He added: “I am aware there is no further need to hang onto the body and I’m happy to release it for funeral purposes.” Corinthian will be cremated.

The inquest was adjourned pending the results of the criminal proceedings.