‘Monstrous’ couple who left newborn girl disabled & unable to talk searched ‘Can I get done for abusing a baby?’
A “MONSTROUS” couple who left a newborn girl disabled and unable to speak searched: “Can I get done for abusing a child?”
Tom Kember, 27, and Katherine Reilly, 25, left the baby with injuries likened to a high-speed crash or fall from a height.
The horror came just ten days after the girl was released from hospital after being born prematurely at 31 weeks.
Kember made a string of chilling web searches after attacking the baby, who legally can’t be named.
Two days before an ambulance was finally called to treat the tot’s severe injuries, Kember searched: “What happend aif u (sic) hit a baby’s face”.
He also Googled “can a baby be sick if it gets hit” and “if baby hits its head does the baby sleep a lot”.
The baby was left with a traumatic brain injury following the savage abuse and is now non-verbal and has significant visual impairment.
She also suffers multiple daily seizures and has other complex needs, Bristol Crown Court was told.
Kember has now been convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while Reilly was found guilty of child cruelty.
Judge Julian Lambert described the horror as a “monstrous act” as he set a sentencing date for January 24.
Between January 12 and 14, 2020, Kember made the vile web searches.
At one stage he asked: “Can I get dosent for abiseing (sic) … baby”, which prosecutors said was meant to read: “Can I get done for abusing baby”.
After two days of the baby suffering, Kember finally called emergency crews.
The tot was rushed to hospital after paramedics noticed bruising on her temples.
The court heard that Kember and Reilly left the hospital while the child was still being treated.
Detective Chief Inspector Roger Doxsey, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a distressing case for all involved.
“A helpless baby has been abused by adults who were more concerned with avoiding the consequences of their actions than with seeking medical help.
“It is tragic to reflect that having been born at 31 weeks, they were readmitted to hospital with these terrible injuries.
“I would like to pay tribute to the medical staff who helped to ensure this little baby’s remarkable survival.”