MUM WITH POST-NATAL DEPRESSION SMOTHERED BABY
The court was informed that a mother battling post-natal depression intentionally smothered her three-month-old daughter with a pillow, leading to her death.Kamila Bogdan, 41, was discovered after killing her infant Julia in March and admitted to police that she felt incapable of caring for her as a mother should.
A judge at the Old Bailey highlighted that Bogdan’s actions towards Julia were solely linked to her mental health issues.
Residing in Croydon, south London, Bogdan has been subjected to a hospital order following her guilty plea to the crime of infanticide.
Infanticide is a rarely-used offence that involves killing a child under 12 months old by a mother whose mental health is affected by childbirth.
The prosecution accepted Bogdan’s plea of not guilty to murder.
Evidence presented in court showed that before the killing, in early February, Bogdan had taken an overdose of painkillers and was diagnosed with mild post-natal depression.
Prosecutor Crispen Aylett QC stated that Bogdan spent a night in hospital and told a doctor she was "very anxious all the time." Emergency services arrived at her home in Tamworth Road, Croydon, on March 2 and found Bogdan in bed with her daughter.
During police questioning, Bogdan said, "I was smothering her because I don't want these kids to suffer any more.
I can't give anything more of myself to them.
I'm not able to look after her in the way a mother should." Psychiatrist Dr Christopher McEvedy expressed concerns over how the case was handled, noting that the seriousness of her mental condition might not have been properly relayed to those responsible for her safety.
Judge Sarah Munro QC stated that Bogdan’s conduct was entirely due to her mental illness and concluded that punishment was unnecessary.
Instead, her future care should be managed by medical professionals in a hospital environment.
The court was informed that an investigation into the circumstances of Julia’s death has been launched.
