Jordan Thompson inquest: Drug overdose killed NSW toddler, coroner finds
HUNTER Valley mum Bernice Swales never believed her boyfriend’s claim that her young son drowned in the bath and yesterday a NSW coroner agreed, finding the boy died after he was deliberately dosed with an antidepressant.
NSW
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HUNTER Valley mum Bernice Swales never believed her boyfriend’s claim that her young son drowned in the bath and yesterday a NSW coroner agreed, finding the boy died after he was deliberately dosed with an antidepressant.
After 13 years and two inquests, 21-month-old Jordan Thompson was found to have been killed by amitriptyline toxicity from an antidepressant tablet given to him.
The antidepressants were prescribed to Jordan’s mother Ms Swales’ boyfriend Cecil Kennedy.
On March 19, 2005, Ms Swales returned from shopping to Mr Kennedy’s Singleton unit where she had left Jordan to find him lifeless on a bed. Mr Kennedy said he had given the toddler a bath but left the room for a short time before returning to find him lying face down and then attempting to revive Jordan.
Mr Kennedy later told police the boy had walked to the bathroom and was playing happily with cups in the bath.
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“I have determined that (he) was deliberately given the medication and I have determined that he did not suffer a drowning,” Deputy State Coronor Elaine Truscott said.
“I do not accept Cecil Kennedy’s account … I am satisfied that Jordan Thompson did not consciously enter the bath himself but was placed in the water by Cecil Kennedy … Jordan was not conscious and not capable of sitting upright on his own,’’ Ms Truscott said.
In 2008 Mr Kennedy refused to give evidence at an inquest and in 2009 was charged with manslaughter but the DPP withdrew the charges in 2014 and the inquest was resumed.
Ms Swales said she was happy with the finding and believed there would be justice for her son. “I know this is not the end,” she said.
NSW Homicide Squad commander Superintendent Scott Cook said investigations into Jordan’s death would continue. “So we can get justice for him and his family,’’ Supt Cook said.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome today - at least we have confirmed the actual cause of death now and that will enable us to move forward,” Ms Swales told reporters.
“I just remember him as happy, loving. He’ll always be my little boy.”
Ms Truscott recommended a protocol be created so blood samples can be authorised and taken from the deceased before they are transported to a metropolitan or regional forensic services facility, particularly “in the case of a child whose death is sudden, unexplained or not immediately apparent”.
She made no referral to the DPP.