A couple has been sentenced following the discovery of cocaine traces in a 12-week-old baby under their care. Kevin Fields, 29, received a two-year prison term, while Ella Jones, 28, was given a suspended two-year sentence after admitting to causing harm to the child. The incident came to light when a pediatrician raised concerns about the baby’s well-being, who was found unconscious at an A&E facility on May 27, 2025.
During the trial at Chester Crown Court, it was revealed that staff at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Cheshire, observed the couple’s drug-influenced behavior and apparent indifference towards the baby’s condition. Subsequently, when the infant was admitted to the hospital ward, Fields and Jones abruptly left, suggesting they might be unreachable as they were likely to be asleep.
A toxicology test confirmed the presence of cocaine in the baby’s system, believed to have caused the child’s unresponsiveness. Fields and Jones were arrested after admitting to using cocaine in the baby’s presence during police interviews. They also disclosed that the child had experienced a similar incident days earlier but had recovered without medical attention.
Further investigation revealed that Fields had purchased cocaine from a dealer before the baby’s second health crisis. Both individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced accordingly. Jones escaped imprisonment with a two-year suspended sentence, along with rehabilitation activities, mental health treatment requirements, and unpaid work. In contrast, Fields was sentenced to two years in prison.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Ann Muldowney of Cheshire Police emphasized the severe health risks associated with Class A drugs like cocaine, expressing relief that the child did not suffer a fatal outcome due to the couple’s irresponsible actions. Muldowney urged anyone with concerns about child neglect or abuse to report them to the authorities for thorough investigation.
