Ayeeshia Jane Smith had only eaten a packet of crisps, a chocolate biscuit and a yoghurt on the day she was stamped to death by her parents, a court heard
A toddler had only eaten a packet of crisps, a chocolate biscuit and a yoghurt on the day she was stamped to death by her parents, a court heard.
Ayeeshia Jane Smith died in May 2014 after suffering a cardiac arrest, which was allegedly caused by a forceful foot stamp to her chest, prosecutors said.
Her parents, Kathryn Smith and Matthew Rigby, from Staffordshire, are currently on trial for her murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
The jury was today told Smith admitted to police the 21-month-old had only eaten a small amount - including a packet of Quavers - on the afternoon of May 1.
Detective Sergeant James Brady, who spoke to the 23-year-old at Burton-upon-Trent’s Queen’s Hospital hours after the child’s death, said: 'I was told she had her last meal the night before at Matthew’s grandparents’ house in Nottingham.'
Mr Brady added that Smith, who he said was 'extremely emotional', told him Ayeeshia had suffered three 'over-heating fits' since the start of 2014. On two of those occasions an ambulance had been called to the home in Britannia Drive, Burton.
Smith also the officer of an incident three weeks before when the little girl had to be taken to hospital.
Mr Brady told the court: 'Mum had told me that the child had bitten her lip in bath approximately three weeks prior [to the death].
'She had slipped in the bath and consequently she was taken to Queen’s Hospital and then sent home.'
Her parents, Kathryn Smith (left) and Matthew Rigby (right), from Staffordshire, are currently on trial for her murder at Birmingham Crown Court
On the day of the child’s death, the officer said Smith told him she had left Ayeeshia on the potty before going into the kitchen, while 22-year-old Rigby was outside in the garden.
Mr Brady said: 'Mum went into the kitchen to get some juice and returning back then found the child with blue lips and fitting.'
Smith admitted to police the 21-month-old (pictured) had only eaten a small amount - including a packet of Quavers - on the afternoon of May 1
He was asked by Christopher Hotten, prosecuting, if Smith had presented the fits as being similar to those the child had suffered previously.
The detective replied: 'Yes, it was described as the same as before, implying it was the same as the previous fits.'
Earlier the jury heard Ayeeshia was measured and found to be in the second percentile of weight categories for a child of her age with a medical expert describing her as 'thin'.
Dr Tamas Marton, a consultant paediatric pathologist, added: 'Out of 100 children, 98 would be heavier for children of the same age and build.'
A post-mortem found the toddler had suffered a bleed on the brain in the months before her death, linked to an incident in which Ayeeshia was hospitalised after collapsing in February 2014.
During the examination, further injuries were also discovered including a large bruise to her back and buttocks, bruising to her neck, head, left eyelid and left leg.
Jurors have previously heard the toddler was taken into care by social services in May 2013 following concerns for her welfare. She was returned to her mother’s care in October that year.
Smith and Rigby deny murder and cruelty to a child under 16. The trial continues.
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