Nanny who illicitly drugged 8-week-old baby that died is still working as carer

There are calls for urgent reform in the UK's childcare system after an eight-week-old baby died after illicitly being administered an antihistamine by a nanny who likely wanted to "sedate" him. Because of a lack of regulation and a bungled police investigation, the woman thought to have administered the drug is still working in the childcare sector today. In a damning Prevention of Future Deaths report, senior coroner Fiona Wilcox said she was concerned there was "no national regulation system for nannies." She also highlighted issues with the Metropolitan Police after officers failed to search the "well presented" family home, seize feeding bottles or properly examine the nanny's belongings despite toxicology tests later revealing the presence of the drug. She warned that investigators were too easily "reassured" by the home environment, meaning they missed crucial lines of inquiry after the tot died in January 2024, in west London. Wilcox said the night nanny "probably" administered the drug in order to get the "fussy" baby to sleep, but by the time she was formally interviewed months later, vital forensic evidence had been lost. Recording an open verdict, Wilcox said: "The court was satisfied that the night nanny had administered the chlorpheniramine (trade name usually Piriton) to the baby.” "The baby had been described as unsettled and fussy and a baby who woke frequently in the night. The chlorpheniramine was probably administered to sedate the baby to sleep. Expert opinion accepted by the court was that this drug could possibly have caused or contributed to the baby’s death, but it could not be found that it probably did.” The report was sent to Eden Maternity, who said they had been "unable to trace the person referred to or identify any case matching the facts described," from the information available. The company - who does not employ nannies directly - told the Mirror: "If any further identifying information is provided by the relevant authorities, we will of course review our records again and cooperate fully with any appropriate enquiries." They said a number of nannies claim to have been registered with Eden by virtue of submitting their CV, but this doesn't mean they have been formally registered with the company The scale of this scandal could be even wider. The coroner has taken the extraordinary step of calling on the National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate whether the same drug has been involved in other unexplained deaths across the UK. While childminders and nursery staff must adhere to strict Ofsted standards and mandatory registration, nannies are subject to zero compulsory oversight. This lawless gap in home childcare means that, unlike in a nursery setting, there is no central body to strike a nanny off. The National Nanny Association, said the tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform. Currently any move to introduce mandatory registration sits with the Department of Education. Until that happens, the Association warns that babies are being left at the mercy of unregulated professionals who can move from agency to agency, even after a tragedy. The eight-week-old baby was found unresponsive in his bassinet in January 2024. Despite CPR attempts and emergency services rushing to his aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Although his official cause of death was recorded as sudden unexpected death in infancy (unexplained), toxicology tests found chlorphenamine in his system - a sedative ingredient used in antihistamine medications like Piriton - in his system. Experts told the hearing the medication should not be given to babies of that age unless prescribed, warning it can have sedative effects and has been linked to child deaths. Kate Holmes, from The Lullaby Trust, warned that using substances to make babies sleep longer is a lethal gamble. "Anything that encourages a baby to sleep more deeply than is usual may increase the risk of SIDS," she said, stressing that frequent waking is normal, healthy part of a newborn's development. "There is an urgent need for greater regulation for any profession responsible for placing babies to sleep," she added. Allie Bell and Maria Culley, from the National Nanny Association, told the Mirror : "Another devastating loss of a baby's life is a reminder of why urgent reform in this sector cannot wait. "We have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of regulation in parts of the in-home childcare sector, where individuals can operate without consistent safeguarding standards, training requirements, or oversight. "We have taken every step available to us to escalate these concerns - including written representations to government, and the launch of a petition calling for urgent reform. But we are now at a point where awareness alone is not enough. Progress must now follow. We are getting impatient and deeply concerned on the state of our sector." The association is calling for mandatory DBS and safeguarding checks; minimum training standards, including paediatric first aid; clear regulation of professional titles to stop unregulated carers using titles; and a national framework for in-home childcare. A spokesperson for Ofsted told us: "Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted. However, they may choose to register with us voluntarily." A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic case, and our thoughts remain with the family at what must be a devastating time. "Every parent should be able to trust that their child is safe and well cared for. We are in regular contact with the National Nanny Association and will continue to work with them on issues affecting families, to ensure parents have confidence in the care their children receive." The Metropolitan Police added: "Our thoughts remain with the family of the baby following the conclusion of the inquest into their death. We will consider the concerns raised by the coroner before providing a written response."