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Mum 'firmly denies' causing death of baby boy

Jonny HumphriesLiverpool Magistrates' Court
News imageJonny Humphries/BBC A composite image showing a woman wearing jeans and a pink hoody, who has turned her back to the camera and covered her head with the hood, and a man in his 20s with light brown hair and a ginger beard.Jonny Humphries/BBC
Kylie Smith (left) and Adam Johnson leave Liverpool Magistrates' Court after being charged with causing or allowing their son's death

The mother of a one-year-old boy who died of severe malnutrition will "firmly deny" causing or allowing the child's death, a court heard.

Maero Johnson, from St Helens, Merseyside, died in hospital in the early hours of 23 August 2023.

A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was severe malnutrition and ketonic hypoglycaemia – which involves low blood sugar levels caused by a lack of food.

Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, both of Hempstead Close in the town, also face a charge of child neglect in connection with a surviving second child, while Johnson faces an additional charge of possession of cannabis.

News imageFacebook A woman in her 20s, with brown hair and brown eyes, smiles at the cameraFacebook
Kylie Smith's solicitor said she would formally enter "firm not guilty pleas" at a future hearing

The pair spoke only to confirm their names and addresses and were not asked to enter formal pleas during a brief hearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court.

However, Colin Rawson, representing Smith, told the court: "For additional context, it's a firm not guilty plea to both matters."

The case was passed to Liverpool Crown Court where both defendants were scheduled to appear on 10 September.

Johnson and Smith were both released on unconditional bail.

News imageA baby of a few months old, wearing a white top, pictured sleeping in a black car-seat.
Maero Johnson was a year old when he died of severe malnutrition

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