Rebecca Denton pleads guilty to criminal neglect of three-week-old son who died in hospital

A southern suburbs mother charged over the criminal neglect of her newborn son – who died from multiple injuries in hospital – has pleaded guilty.

A mother charged with the criminal neglect of her three-week-old infant – who allegedly died from injuries inflicted by his father – has pleaded guilty.

Rebecca Lee Denton, 33, of Christies Downs, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday after asking her matter be called on to answer the charge.

The boy’s father, Ashley McGregor, has yet to enter a plea to a charge of manslaughter and criminal neglect over the baby’s death.

The court has previously heard the 21-day-old baby was taken to the Noarlunga Hospital on April 23 last year.

On arrival, the child was unresponsive and could not be revived.

The court has previously heard the child has been home alone with Mr McGregor who claimed he had tripped over a dog while holding the baby, who then fell into a bassinet.

Rebecca Denton arrives at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

Rebecca Denton and Ashley McGregor are accused of criminal neglect over the death of their three-week-old baby. Picture: Facebook

At an earlier court appearance, prosecutors said that explanation would be reconstructed because the injuries did not accord with that account.

“It was found the injuries were inflicted and the child had extensive brain bleeding and fractured ribs,” a prosecutor had said.

Magistrate Roderick Jensen read the charge to Denton, who will likely attract a sentencing discount for her guilty plea.

“Between the 20 April 2021 and 24 April 2021 at Christies Downs you had a duty to care for a child … where the child died as a result of an act and the defendants were, or ought to have been, aware that there was an appreciable risk that harm would be cased to the child by the act and failed to take steps … to prevent the child from harm,” he said.

“Their failure to do so was, in the circumstances, so serious that a criminal penalty was warranted.”

Prosecutors had asked the court to list Denton’s case next month, when Mr McGregor will be listed to enter his pleas.

Mr Jensen declined to do so, instead ordering Denton appear in the District Court to set sentencing dates in December.

“Her matter shouldn’t be delayed,” he said.

Denton hung her head and did not comment as she exited court flanked by supporters.

Originally published as Rebecca Denton pleads guilty to criminal neglect of three-week-old son who died in hospital