Courts / Cork / Report
Mother whose toddler died after taking methadone is acquitted of neglect
Summary
Sadie Douglas, 39, of Rathsallagh Drive, Shankill, was acquitted of wilful neglect of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi, who died after ingesting methadone in their home. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, lasted five days and concluded in just over an hour. Judge Orla Crowe thanked the jurors and discharged Douglas from the indictment, noting no other pending charges. Her partner, Christopher O'Reilly, pleaded guilty to the same charge and received a three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence. The court heard that O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict, took daily methadone doses prescribed weekly, and a cup with traces of the drug was found in the house. Douglas claimed she was unaware of the methadone cup and that she had been emotionally distressed after the death of her older daughter Sophie. The post‑mortem concluded that Heidi's death was most likely caused by methadone ingestion, resulting in acute brain inflammation. Sadie Douglas pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother whose toddler died after taking methadone is acquitted of neglect. Charges or matters: wilful neglect of her child leading to her death on dates between April 13 and 14, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 2016 Other
- April 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2016 Other
- April 14, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 19 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-06-22 Publication
Why: He said that when Ms Douglas said there wasn't any methadone in the house that Thursday morning, she was saying this because O'Reilly finished it every Wednesday. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: wilful neglect of her child leading to her death on dates between April 13 and 14, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Our Lady's Children's Hospital
- Rathsallagh Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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