Parents charged over death of baby, 1, as second child found ‘underdeveloped’

Parents charged over death of baby, 1, as second child found ‘underdeveloped’ Maero Johnson, aged one, was rushed to hospital where he tragically died of ketonic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition - two parents have now been charged Two parents have been charged over the death of a one-year-old boy, police said today. Maero Johnson was rushed to hospital but despite the best efforts of medics he tragically died just after midnight on August 23, 2023. A second child was also found to be neglected and underdeveloped, Merseyside Police said. Adam Johnson, 26, of Hempstead Close in St Helens, and Kylie Smith, 25, of Holly Bank Street in St Helens, have been charged with causing/allowing the death of a child, child neglect and possession of a controlled class B drug, cannabis. They are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 13. Police said a postmortem examination confirmed Maero died of ketonic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition, reports the Liverpool Echo. A statement from Merseyside Police read: "Two parents have been charged following the death of their child three years ago in St Helens. "Just after midnight on 23 August 2023, we received a report that a one-year-old boy, Maero Johnson, had been taken to hospital but despite medical staff’s best efforts he sadly passed away. "A Home Office postmortem confirmed Maero died of ketonic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition. A second child was found to be neglected and underdeveloped. "Adam Johnson, 26 years, of Hempstead Close in St Helens, and Kylie Smith, 25 years, of Holly Bank Street in St Helens, have been charged with causing/allowing the death of a child, child neglect and possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. "They will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday 13 August."