Mum accused of forgetting about baby while on alleged drug bender to be sentenced in late 2024

The mother of a baby who died after she allegedly “forgot about him” while she was on an alleged three-day drug-fuelled bender, will be sentenced later this year.

Baby Dexter Wilton was allegedly left without food or water for at least 21 hours before his death.

The mother of a baby who died after she allegedly “forgot about him” while she was on an alleged three-day drug-fuelled bender, will be sentenced later this year.

The indictments against Natalie Jade Whitehead, 38, and Andrew William Campbell, 44, were presented in Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday.

They are charged over the death of eight-month-old Dexter Wilton who was found dead in his home in the Ipswich suburb of Raceview on June 21, 2019.

His mother, Ms Whitehead, and Mr Campbell, her boyfriend at the time, allegedly “forgot about him” while they were on a three-day drug binge, which included heroin use.

It will be alleged that baby Dexter was left with no food or water for at least 21 hours before his death.

He allegedly died from dehydration and malnutrition.

Andrew William Campbell is charged with the manslaughter, misconduct with a corpse, failing to supply the necessities of life and negligent acts causing harm.

Both Ms Whitehead and Mr Campbell were charged with murder following Dexter’s death, but this was later dropped and replaced with a manslaughter charge for each.

In court on Thursday, a new indictment was presented against Ms Whitehead.

Both accused are now charged with the same four offences – manslaughter, misconduct with a corpse, failing to supply the necessaries of life, and negligent acts causing harm – between June 16 and June 22, 2019.

The court heard Ms Whitehead’s case is ready to proceed to a sentencing hearing, which is now scheduled for September 19, although she has not formally pleaded guilty to the charges as yet. Ms Whitehead remains in custody.

Meanwhile, the proceeding on Thursday was the first presentation of Mr Campbell’s case in the Brisbane Supreme Court since he was committed from the Ipswich Magistrates Court in February.

The court heard barrister Damian Walsh is briefed on the case and it is expected the matter will proceed to trial.

Mr Campbell’s case was adjourned to August 8 for further review in the Brisbane Supreme Court. He remains on bail.

Originally published as Mum accused of forgetting about baby while on alleged drug bender to be sentenced in late 2024