A night nanny with over 20 years of experience has been revealed to have administered a fatal dose of antihistamines to an eight-week-old baby, resulting in the infant’s death. The Metropolitan Police initially found no apparent cause of death when the baby was discovered unresponsive in his crib on January 15, 2024. However, a subsequent toxicology report detected the presence of a sedative antihistamine in the baby’s system.
Sandra Davidson, the night nanny responsible for the child’s care, was identified after her name was disclosed by the Inner West London coroner’s court due to the significant public interest in the case. The court determined that Davidson had given the baby chlorphenamine to induce sleep, as the infant was described as restless and frequently waking up. A bottle of liquid Piriton was found at Davidson’s residence during a police search.
Davidson, who was affiliated with the family through the Night Nannies agency, was entrusted with caring for the baby from 9 pm to 7 am. The agency, which requires nannies to provide references, undergo a current DBS check, and possess first aid training, confirmed that Davidson no longer works with them and emphasized that they were not involved in the events leading to the baby’s death.
The coroner’s report indicated that Davidson had fed the baby milk on the night of the incident but failed to report the administration of antihistamines. The police’s oversight in not thoroughly investigating the presence of medication in the home was highlighted in the report, leading to missed forensic opportunities that could have established the nanny’s actions more definitively.
While evidence presented at the inquest suggested that chlorphenamine could have contributed to the baby’s death, no conclusive proof was found. Calls for increased regulation in the nanny industry, including mandatory background checks and standardized training, have emerged following this tragic incident. The National Nanny Association advocates for the establishment of a national registry to verify nannies’ qualifications and ensure proper oversight in the sector.
