A COVENTRY mum has been jailed for seven-and-a-half-years after her 22-month-old tot died in a house fire.
A jury at Coventry Crown Court found Michelle Brown guilty of causing or allowing the death of her daughter Jodie Ann when a fire broke out at her home in Oxford Street, Hillfields, last July.
Her 37-year-old mother left her alone so she could attend a hearing at Coventry’s Family Court about another of her children, the court heard.
While she was there a fire was started by a faulty television in the bedroom and Jodie died as a result of breathing toxic fumes.
Brown was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice for trying to cover up her neglect by asking friends to lie for her.
Sentencing Brown, Judge Peter Ross was satisfied this was not the first time the tot had been left alone. He said: “It is one of the ghastly features of this case that while others struggled to revive Jodie... this defendant was outside on her telephone starting the genesis of her false account.” Brown was sentenced to six years for causing or allowing the death of her daughter and an extra 18 months for perverting the course of justice.
Coventry City Council has also launched an investigation into the death of Jodie Ann Brown.
A spokesman for the council said: “This has been a very upsetting and disturbing case. Our sympathies are with Jodie Ann’s siblings whom we know have been deeply affected by the loss of their sister.
“While the criminal investigation had to take precedence, the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board (CSCB) has been carrying out a serious case review into the circumstances around the death.
“The CSCB is made up of agencies with a responsibility for ensuring the safety of children.
“A serious case review is held when a child has died or has been seriously injured and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor.
“The review examines the ways agencies involved with the family and child have worked together to support them.
“The reviews are not inquiries into how a child died or who is culpable. It is expected the review into this case will be completed by the end of March and the executive summary of the review and any recommendations will be published.”
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