This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20136443
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Felicia Boots admits killing her two babies | Felicia Boots admits killing her two babies |
(35 minutes later) | |
A mother who suffered postnatal depression has admitted killing her two children at their home. | A mother who suffered postnatal depression has admitted killing her two children at their home. |
Felicia Boots, 35, killed Lily Boots, aged 14 months, and her 10-week-old brother Mason in Wandsworth, south-west London, in May. | Felicia Boots, 35, killed Lily Boots, aged 14 months, and her 10-week-old brother Mason in Wandsworth, south-west London, in May. |
Her manslaughter plea on the grounds of diminished responsibility was accepted by the prosecution at the Old Bailey, and murder charges were dropped. | Her manslaughter plea on the grounds of diminished responsibility was accepted by the prosecution at the Old Bailey, and murder charges were dropped. |
She was ordered to be detained at a psychiatric hospital. | She was ordered to be detained at a psychiatric hospital. |
The judge, Mr Justice Fulford, said the case was indescribably sad and what she did was a result of psychological forces beyond her control. | The judge, Mr Justice Fulford, said the case was indescribably sad and what she did was a result of psychological forces beyond her control. |
A preliminary inquest hearing found the two children had been suffocated. | A preliminary inquest hearing found the two children had been suffocated. |
Her husband Jeff found the children lying side by side on the floor of a walk-in wardrobe when he arrived home on 9 May. She had also tried to kill herself. | |
'Good mum' | 'Good mum' |
Boots, who was in court to enter her plea, gave a note to her counsel Kate Bex to read. | |
Many women are tearful and have mood changes shortly after birth - the so-called "baby blues". These normally go within a few weeks. | Many women are tearful and have mood changes shortly after birth - the so-called "baby blues". These normally go within a few weeks. |
Postnatal depression is different. | Postnatal depression is different. |
It's a specific type of depression that some women (and men) experience after they have had a baby. | It's a specific type of depression that some women (and men) experience after they have had a baby. |
It usually develops in the first four to six weeks after childbirth, triggered by a number of factors including the stress of looking after a newborn baby. | It usually develops in the first four to six weeks after childbirth, triggered by a number of factors including the stress of looking after a newborn baby. |
Unlike the "baby blues", the symptoms of tiredness and low mood persist for months if left untreated and in a minority of cases can become a long-term problem. | Unlike the "baby blues", the symptoms of tiredness and low mood persist for months if left untreated and in a minority of cases can become a long-term problem. |
Some women who have postnatal depression get thoughts about harming their baby. This is quite common, affecting around half of all women with the condition. | Some women who have postnatal depression get thoughts about harming their baby. This is quite common, affecting around half of all women with the condition. |
But it is very rare that these feelings are acted upon. | But it is very rare that these feelings are acted upon. |
It is important to recognise signs of postnatal depression as early as possible and seek professional advice. | It is important to recognise signs of postnatal depression as early as possible and seek professional advice. |
Treatments that help include antidepressant medication as well as talking therapies, support and advice. | Treatments that help include antidepressant medication as well as talking therapies, support and advice. |
Postnatal depression: The Royal College of Psychiatrists | Postnatal depression: The Royal College of Psychiatrists |
Postnatal Depression | Postnatal Depression |
It said: "May 9, 2012 is a day I will be eternally sorry for. It should never have happened. | |
"It troubles me more than anyone will ever know. Part of me will always be missing. | "It troubles me more than anyone will ever know. Part of me will always be missing. |
"I am a good person. I am a good mum and I never meant any of this to happen. | "I am a good person. I am a good mum and I never meant any of this to happen. |
"I am truly sorry." | "I am truly sorry." |
'Tragic case' | 'Tragic case' |
The court heard Boots had been detained at a psychiatric unit since the deaths and the prosecution's decision followed consideration of doctors' reports. | The court heard Boots had been detained at a psychiatric unit since the deaths and the prosecution's decision followed consideration of doctors' reports. |
The couple had moved to the UK in the past few years from Canada. | The couple had moved to the UK in the past few years from Canada. |
The court was told that Boots suffered postnatal depression following the births of both children, but appeared to be getting better. | The court was told that Boots suffered postnatal depression following the births of both children, but appeared to be getting better. |
She had been prescribed anti-depressants but had not been taking them after becoming convinced the babies would be taken away from her because of the effects of the drugs on her breast milk. | She had been prescribed anti-depressants but had not been taking them after becoming convinced the babies would be taken away from her because of the effects of the drugs on her breast milk. |
Edward Brown QC, prosecuting, told the court the Crown had closely examined the medical evidence and spoken to Boots' husband, who was in court. | Edward Brown QC, prosecuting, told the court the Crown had closely examined the medical evidence and spoken to Boots' husband, who was in court. |
"This plainly is a tragic case," he said | "This plainly is a tragic case," he said |
"There were signs Mrs Boots had made an attempt on her own life. She had marks to her neck." | "There were signs Mrs Boots had made an attempt on her own life. She had marks to her neck." |