A TROUBLED mother used her own blood to persuade medical professionals to carry out a number of unnecessary procedures on her newly born child.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made more than 40 reports that the newborn girl was vomiting blood and also had blood in her nappy.

The baby was examined for internal bleeding which included a stomach endoscopy, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Shand Dodds, prosecuting, said a nurse searching for a change of clothes for the baby found a syringe with red liquid which turned out to be the mother’s own blood.

He added: "The prosecution’s case is that she fabricated the baby’s symptoms resulting in the child being subjected to medical tests and examinations.

"She is now a healthy child.”

The Teesside woman pleaded guilty to child neglect on the day her trial was due to begin.

Robin Turton, in mitigation, said his client suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, post-natal depression and had a history of psychiatric problems.

He said that at the time of the offence in August 2016 she was in an abusive relationship and had just given birth.

He added: "She is a very fragile and vulnerable woman, in her own right, with a long psychiatric history."

Mr Turton said she is now receiving treatment for her mental health issues and has been assessed as a 'low risk' of reoffending.

The woman received an 18-month sentence, suspended for 18 months – with 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Howard Crowson said: "It was a longtime before you accepted your guilt, however there maybe many reasons for that, including your own condition.

"I understand the child is now a healthy child and is happy."

Speaking after the hearing, Cleveland Police said its Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adult (CAVA) team said it began an investigation into fabricated and induced illness after NHS and social services colleagues raised the alarm.

The unusual nature of the investigation concluded that the were concerned about the number of medical investigations and invasive treatments a new-born baby had undergone in just the first five weeks of life.

Officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Nicky Barker, of the force’s CAVA team, said: “This was a complex and highly unusual case with a very young baby at the heart of it.

“The infant’s wellbeing and welfare was a priority throughout, and I’m pleased and relieved to learn they have not suffered any longer-term effects.”

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