Parents charged over death of one-year-old boy

A mother and father have been charged with causing or allowing the death of their one-year-old child who was found severely malnourished.

Maero Johnson, from St Helens, Merseyside, died in hospital on 23 August 2023.

Police said a Home Office post-mortem concluded the cause of death was severe malnutrition and ketonic hypoglycaemia, a condition indicating a lack of food.

Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday 13 August.

Merseyside Police said a second child had been found to be "neglected and under-developed".

Johnson, of Hempstead Close, and Smith, of Holly Bank Street, were also charged with child neglect and possession of cannabis.

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