Baby dies after inhaling Monkey Dust drug which makes customers hallucinate
A new born baby died after being exposed to the class B substance, Monkey Dust.
The conclusion was drawn by coroners after Ronnie Higginson passed away in his car seat. Medical tests could not ascertain exactly how the seven-week-old died at his Cobridge home, but the officials linked Monkey Dust in their open verdict.
The boy’s parents, Kayleigh Clarke and Michael Higginson, were both convicted after standing trial for charges of child cruelty with neglect at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. They were arrested after failing to take Ronnie to the hospital just days before his death.
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Clarke was handed a 27-month prison sentence – with Higginson dodging jail, according to BPM Media. This coupled with the fact that Stoke-on-Trent’s children’s services were rated as inadequate at the time, courts said led to the death of young Ronnie.
(Image: Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)
An inquest has heard the family had five different social workers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council in a chaotic three-month period before tragedy struck on November 26, 2019. StokeonTrentLive has approached Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a statement.
Instead a Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Partnership spokesperson said: “Following the tragic death of Ronnie Higginson and in accordance with statutory guidance, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Board undertook a rapid review.
The lessons from this review have been applied across all agencies to ensure children are protected now and in the future. Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Partnership remain committed to promoting good quality inter-agency working to protect the wellbeing of children and young people within the city. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Ronnie today.”
(Image: Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)
Staffordshire Police secured the convictions of Clarke and Higginson. A police spokesman said: “Ronnie Higginson’s death was tragic and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.”
Monkey Dust is currently a Class B substance, but the Government have revealed plans to potentially bump it up to a Class A, having asked for advice last year. According to their independent study, the substance is particularly prevalent in Stoke.
The reported effects including hallucinations, psychosis and involuntary body movements. It is a synthetic cathinone, which are said to be made of propionic acid and benzene.
Uses can increase the risk of heart attack or other heart problems in adults, while proving even more fatal in children.
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