Mum and dad to face trial over death of one-year-old son who died of 'severe malnutrition'

Mum and dad to face trial over death of one-year-old son who died of 'severe malnutrition' Parents Adam Johnson and Kylie Smith are alleged to have caused or allowed the death of their one-year-old son Maero Johnson in 2023 and both will stand trial next year A mother and father will stand trial after pleading not guilty to causing the death of their one-year-old son. Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, of St Helens, Merseyside, were charged last month in connection with the death of Maero Johnson three years ago. Police previously said a postmortem examination confirmed Maero died in August 2023 of ketotic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition. The couple appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where their trial, expected to last four to six weeks, was listed for April 19 next year. Smith, wearing a white polo shirt and with her hair in a long plait, and Johnson both pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of a child between June 5 2023 and August 24 2023. Charge sheets state that the pair were "aware that there was a significant risk of serious physical harm being caused to" Maero "by the unlawful act of a member of his household". The count also accuses them of "failing to take reasonable steps to protect him from that risk". They also denied two counts of cruelty to a person under 16. Johnson, wearing a shirt and with facial hair, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis. The pair were granted unconditional bail ahead of a pre-trial hearing on April 5 2027, the LiverpoolEcho reports. Judge Brian Cummings KC, presiding, said: "Adam Johnson, you have pleaded guilty to one of the charges, the drugs charge, but otherwise you have both pleaded not guilty to the indictment. There will be a joint trial on April 19. "It may seem a long way away, but you may find it comes around sooner than you think. There is a lot of preparation before the trial so please cooperate fully with your legal team." According to court sentencing guidelines, the charge of causing or allowing the death of a child can carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A post-mortem examination showed Maero died in August 2023 of ketotic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition, Merseyside Police has said previously. Merseyside Police previously said: "Two parents have been charged following the death of their child three years ago in St Helens. Just after midnight on August 23, 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."