Unexplained Death of Baby Ralphie Payne
Police have faced criticism after the death of one-year-old Ralphie Payne remained unexplained for four years.
The parents of Ralphie had asked friends living in Colchester to babysit him overnight so they could address mould issues at their home.
However, the following morning, on 14 August 2022, Ralphie was found not breathing in his pushchair, an inquest held in Chelmsford revealed.
Area coroner Michelle Brown recorded an open conclusion and noted that Essex Police had apologized for the delay in the investigation, but she expressed her ongoing disappointment with the force.
Initially, the couple caring for Ralphie at the property in Geoff Seaden Close were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect; these charges were dropped years later.
Essex Police attributed the delay to a "substantial investigation" that resulted in "unavoidable" waiting periods.
"It is very sad that it has taken this amount of time.
There's not been any closure for the family, and also the neighbours who were looking after him, [who] were arrested at the time.
I do express my disappointment, shall we say, about how long this has taken. They cannot say how this baby died."
The inquest at Essex Coroner's Court revealed that the Payne family's neighbours had checked on Ralphie 10 minutes before discovering he was not breathing at 10:22 BST.
Paramedics declared him dead 19 minutes later, the court was informed.
There were eight children in the property, including Ralphie's three young siblings aged five, three, and two, the coroner stated.
Brown added that Ralphie had spent the previous night sleeping on a mattress in a room with "poor ventilation" and no curtains.
She noted there was a risk of overheating but found no evidence of neglect, choking, or any prior health issues.
Ralphie was being cared for at the house because his parents "wanted a break" and needed time to resolve "some property problems."
Brown concluded that the cause of Ralphie’s death could not be determined and extended her sympathies to the Payne family.
"Hopefully, now, this should give them some closure after nearly four years."
A spokesman for Essex Police stated: "Specialist officers continue to support the child's parents, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."
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