SUSAN TAYLOR AND LYNN COWAN SHOCK EDINBURGH AND LEITH WITH BABY METHADONE TRAGEDY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Edinburgh and Leith, a woman named Susan Taylor, aged 29, was sentenced to three years in prison after she deliberately placed methadone on a baby’s dummy in an attempt to stop him from crying. The incident, which took place in November 2008, involved reckless and culpable behavior that endangered the life of a vulnerable infant.

Although Taylor admitted to the charges last September, the case was not reported until Tuesday due to her partner’s ongoing trial. Lynn Cowan, aged 28, also played a role in the incident by failing to inform medical professionals about the presence of methadone in the baby’s system. Cowan appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court from custody and, facing a potential trial, chose to admit her guilt when Taylor’s actions were revealed. She acknowledged that she knew Taylor had given the baby methadone but did not pass this critical information to the doctors treating the child.

The young victim, a 10-week-old baby whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was found to have an alarmingly high level of methadone in his system. Medical experts explained that the drug, typically used to help addicts detox from heroin, was present in the baby’s urine in a quantity described as “huge.” The severity of the situation was underscored by the fact that the infant nearly died from the overdose. Doctors could not yet determine if there would be any long-term effects, as the child was still under intensive care, but the immediate danger was clear.

Prosecutor Morag Jack, advocate depute, told the Edinburgh High Court that the baby’s condition was critical. The child was discovered unresponsive, with his lips turning blue and his face appearing grey, while Cowan and Taylor were watching television at their home in Leith. Cowan’s realization that the baby was not breathing prompted an emergency response. When paramedics arrived, the infant was barely breathing, with only a single gasp for air. En route to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, the baby experienced seizures and was placed in intensive care, where he remained for the next 36 hours, gradually stabilizing.

Further investigations revealed methadone in the baby’s system two days after the incident, leading police to become involved. It was uncovered that Taylor had rolled the baby’s dummy in a measuring cup used for her daily methadone dose, effectively administering the drug to the infant unknowingly. A poisons expert, Professor Robin Braithwaite, provided a report emphasizing the extreme danger posed by methadone to children. He explained that the drug, which has a sweet taste, could be fatal in as little as half a teaspoonful, highlighting the reckless nature of Taylor’s actions.

During her court appearance, Taylor expressed remorse, with her defense lawyer, Susan Duff, stating that she was distressed when the baby cried and that she had no intention of harming him. Duff emphasized that Taylor loved her child and was unaware of the lethal risks associated with feeding methadone to a young baby. However, the presiding judge, Lord Bannatyne, was unequivocal in his judgment, describing Taylor’s conduct as “highly reckless.” He sentenced her to three years in prison, to be served consecutively after a 26-month sentence she was already serving for a separate crime—snatching a woman’s bag at knifepoint in Leith.

In conclusion, this case has cast a stark light on the dangers of drug abuse and the devastating consequences that can arise from reckless behavior involving vulnerable children. The communities of Edinburgh and Leith are left to reflect on the tragic events that unfolded, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children from harm and the serious legal repercussions for those who fail to do so.