A mother’s attempt to conceal the truth was unraveled when she alleged that her infant son was assaulted by a stranger’s dog. Caitlin Powell, 20, and her then-partner Aaron Newsome, 24, asserted that their 26-day-old baby had been attacked by an unidentified dog at a bus stop upon arriving at Ormskirk Hospital on October 5, 2023. However, medical staff grew suspicious, prompting them to notify the authorities.
Following questioning, Newsome, from Evington in Skelmersdale, reacted strongly when it was suggested that his phone be examined, leading to a search that exposed their deceitful scheme. Messages between Powell and Newsome revealed attempts to maintain their fabricated story, with Newsome even making light of the situation by joking about a specific outfit for the baby during his hospital stay.
It was later revealed that the incident actually occurred on October 4, 2023, a day before Powell sought medical attention for her son. Despite initially insisting that a stranger’s dog was responsible, Powell eventually confessed that their own French bulldog, Boss, had bitten the child while he was crying, leading to a panicked reaction. Powell’s father, Carl Powell, also played a role in the cover-up, residing with the couple in Southport along with five dogs, including Boss.
The infant sustained injuries to his toes, resulting in the amputation of one toe. Newsome, Carl Powell, and Caitlin Powell all pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, with Caitlin Powell also admitting to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injury.
Newsome and Carl Powell received suspended prison sentences, while Caitlin Powell’s sentencing was delayed until Boss, the dog involved, could be located. After being recovered by the dog warden, Boss was placed under the care of Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home. Subsequent assessments indicated no ongoing behavioral concerns, leading to a contingent destruction order where Boss would not be euthanized as long as specific safety measures were upheld.
In addressing Powell, the judge acknowledged the panic-driven nature of her actions but emphasized the importance of prioritizing her child’s safety. Powell was sentenced to a suspended prison term, rehabilitation days, and a 15-year ban on owning dogs. Additionally, she was informed of the loss of custody of her son due to negative parenting assessments and other circumstances in her personal life.
