A mother has been convicted of causing the death of her three-month-old daughter by exposing her to heat from a hairdryer. Courtney Gartshore, 28, had previously denied the charge of culpable homicide in the case of her daughter Dahlia-Rose, who was under her care in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in September 2023.
After deliberating for just over an hour on the seventh day of the trial at the High Court in Aberdeen, the jury reached a guilty verdict. Gartshore was visibly emotional as she was escorted from the courtroom to the cells, according to reports from the BBC.
The court found Gartshore guilty of recklessly causing her daughter to endure heat from the hairdryer while she was solely responsible for the child. The severity of the baby’s injuries resulted in her tragic death.
Gartshore is scheduled to receive her sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 14. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Dahlia-Rose sustained burns on 18% of her body, and her DNA was detected on the hairdryer. Additionally, a recording of the emergency call made by Gartshore, where she described her child as turning “purple” while asleep, was played in court.
Despite conflicting opinions, expert witness Dr. Timothy Burges, a burns specialist, stated in court that the heat injuries might not have directly caused Dahlia-Rose’s death. There were also allegations that Gartshore had consumed alcohol before the child’s tragic passing. Other charges against her were dropped by the Crown.
The incident was reported to the authorities by the Scottish Ambulance Service on September 30, 2023, after Dahlia-Rose was pronounced deceased at the scene in Peterhead. Subsequent investigations led to Gartshore’s arrest and charges in November 2023.
Detective Inspector James Callander expressed the distressing nature of a child’s death at the hands of a parent, emphasizing the importance of protecting defenseless children. He thanked all involved in the investigation for their dedication and professionalism in seeking justice and uncovering the truth, acknowledging the support and cooperation of the community throughout the process.
