Newborn dies after nanny likely gave antihistamine, inquest finds

A coroner concluded an 8-week-old in West London probably received the antihistamine chlorpheniramine from his night nanny before he died in January 2024, and the police missed forensic opportunities so no criminal charges followed; the nanny remained registered with agencies.

An inquest found that an 8-week-old in West London probably received an over‑the‑counter antihistamine from his night nanny before the child's death in January 2024. Postmortem toxicology detected chlorpheniramine, which the U.K. National Health Service classifies as a sedating antihistamine. The coroner concluded the nanny had administered the medicine, but investigators did not collect evidence in a way that met the criminal standard. What is known: - The baby was found unresponsive in his crib on Jan. 15, 2024 and was declared dead after resuscitation attempts. - Postmortem toxicology identified chlorpheniramine in the baby's system. - The coroner concluded the night nanny had administered the drug, probably to sedate the baby to sleep. - Police did not seize bottles, search the premises, or interview the nanny until months later, and the inquest said key forensic opportunities were lost; no charges were pursued and the nanny remained registered with two agencies. Summary: The coroner highlighted missed forensic opportunities and raised concerns about how such deaths are examined, noting that equipment like feeding bottles are not routinely seized pending toxicology results. Undetermined at this time.