Mum of drowned boy found with ‘soap bubbles in his lungs’ brands herself ‘stupid’ for ‘leaving him alone to entertain friend in garden’

THE mum of a drowned toddler left in a bath unsupervised for 15 minutes has branded herself “stupid” for leaving him alone to entertain a friend, a court has heard.

Giving evidence, Lisa Passey, 28, said it was “down to” her and the boy’s dad Wayne Dale, adding: “It’s our fault.”

Dale and Passey both deny manslaughter due to gross negligence at Worcester Crown Court.

Little Kian died with what was believed to be soap bubbles in his lungs, the reports.

Distraught mum Passey told the court: “I don’t want any pity. I was stupid for not going upstairs.”

Jurors had earlier heard how Dale, 45, told a police officer his baby son drowned in the bath while he was downstairs drinking beer, smoking and listening to UB40 songs.

The couple – who are now separated – burned a CD for a pal at their home in Kyreside, Tenbury Wells, Worcs, a jury was told.

The court heard the couple “regularly” left the tot alone to bathe.

Giving evidence yesterday Passey told jurors it was a “regular occurrence” to leave little Kian alone in the bath, but “only for a few minutes”.

The court heard they left the tot on his own after putting him in a baby seat which was attached to the bottom of the bath with a suction cup.

The pair are accused of filling up the bath before going downstairs at 5.30pm on September 26, 2015.

The court heard when Passey returned 13 minutes later she found her son lifeless in the bath.

Defence barristers told jurors that the tot may have turned the taps on while his parents were downstairs.

Asked why she had originally told doctors that her child had been found in a dry, empty bath before change her story, Passey said: “I was all over the place.

“If you’d gone through it yourself, losing a child, you’d realise you’re still trying to grieve.”

Dale had first told police that he knew Passey was outside in the garden when their child was alone, but later changed his story.

He said that in fact he thought she was upstairs in the bathroom and had not checked to make sure she was there.

He told prosecutor Jonas Hankin he changed his story after breaking down to his family.

Dale said: “I feel responsible. I should have checked him in the bathroom.

“I love Lisa with all my heart and I am not going to blame her.”

But Mr Hankin said Dale had tried to give the “false impression” the he was a devoted family man.

Mr Hankin said Dale had been convicted of two counts of criminal damage at his ex’s home and was also convicted of battery against his former partner.

Dale also admitted leaving Kian in a safety seat alone,but said he had not seen a warning sign on the device telling parents to remain within arm’s reach.

Describing entering the house, special constable Ryan Davis told the court: “[Passey] seemed to be in quite a sad state of distress.

“She was screaming and crying, hoping we could help.

“I came to see the father. He was on his knees or lay down giving CPR to the baby. I believe he was saying: ‘Come on my boy’, as he was doing the actions.

“Unfortunately there was no sign of life. His eyes were glazed over, his eyelids were half open and he was lay motionless on the floor on his back.

“He (Dale) was walking around outside the ambulance in a state of distress.

“I attempted to calm him, not knowing what else to do or say in the circumstances.

“He made mention that he was only downstairs for a minute rolling a cigarette and having a beer.

“He then made mention to burning a CD. I recall I thought it would take more than a minute to roll a cigarette, have a beer and burn a CD.”

Kian was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital at 6.58pm but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The trial continues.