A 29-year-old man from Devizes has been sentenced for the manslaughter of his three month old baby daughter.
Emergency services were called to home of Samuel and Jasmine Warnock on 20th September 2021, due to medical concerns regarding baby Miyah. The infant was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital but passed away on 19th October 2021.
Extensive medical examinations carried out on Miyah showed she had died as a result of a traumatic head injury consistent with a violent shaking or blunt force.
Samuel Warnock, formerly of Cornfield Road, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his daughter, Miyah in January this year and has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Miyah’s mum Jasmine, 29, also formerly of Cornfield Road, was sentenced to a three year community order and 30 days rehabilitation after pleading guilty to child cruelty.
Det Con Katey Baker said: “This was an extensive, and at times, extremely complex investigation, which required in-depth medical examinations to be carried out. It was these examinations which revealed the true extent of what little Miyah had been through at the hands of her father – one of the people who Miyah should have felt most happy, safe and content in the care of.
“Miyah was so small and so vulnerable at just three months old – but I hope this case has gone some way in giving her the voice she never had.”
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Childe said: “Samuel Warnock inflicted injuries on his baby so serious that she went into cardiac arrest, and despite the best efforts of medical experts, died almost one month later in hospital.
“Her life was cut tragically short by her father. Her grandparents, who doted on Miyah have described her as a princess. I cannot imagine how difficult this time has been, and continues to be for them as doting grandparents.
“All officers and police staff involved in this case have been moved by the tragic circumstances of little Miyah. I would like to thank them for their determination to bring Miyah’s parents to justice.”
In a short tribute to Miyah, grandparents Andrew and Michelle Rideout said: “Miyah was our princess. We are devastated by the loss of our granddaughter.
“We will never get over losing her.”
