Ruth Auta, a 28-year-old nurse from the UK, has been sentenced to three years in prison after she left her 10-week-old baby, Joshua Akerele, alone to die while she worked. On December 20, 2022, Auta abandoned Joshua in her accommodation for eight hours while she worked her shift at the hospital. Upon returning, she found her baby lifeless and called emergency services, but Joshua was pronounced dead an hour later.

The investigation revealed disturbing details about Auta’s actions. CCTV footage showed her leaving and returning to her home without Joshua, and incriminating text messages showed she tried to deceive a childminder into claiming she had been looking after the baby. Auta was initially released on bail but later attempted to flee to Nigeria. She was caught at Gatwick Airport and brought back to face justice.

Prosecutors condemned Auta’s actions, noting her lack of remorse and deceitful behavior. They highlighted that, as a nurse, she should have understood the dangers of leaving her baby unattended. Auta’s case has had a profound impact on those affected, and she will now serve her sentence while facing the consequences of her actions.