A Cumbrian dad has been convicted of killing his baby son.
Reece Martin Kelly, 31, from Workington, has been found guilty of murdering his four-month-old son Dallas Marc Kelly, who died from a traumatic brain injury in October 2021.
Mr Kelly denied any involvement in the death of his baby at first, but changed his story on the day of trial and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
He accepted that he had picked up Dallas and shaken him, but claimed he had no intention to cause him serious harm or death.
The pathologist determined that Dallas’ injuries were consistent with forceful shaking.
Dallas had bleeds over his brain and his eyes, which are often associated with nonaccidental head injury and fingertip bruising on his chest consistent with gripping or squeezing.
He was also found to have six rib fractures, five of those fractures were found to have occurred around the time of Dallas’s death and were not consistent with CPR. The other fracture was older, and took place around six to 12 weeks prior to Dallas’s death.
Dallas’s mother, Georgia Wright, 23, from Workington, was also found guilty of two counts of child cruelty.
The incident happened on October 15 2021 when Miss Wright went to work around 9am, leaving Dallas in the care of Mr Kelly.
At 12.25pm that day Mr Kelly then rang an ambulance saying that Dallas wasn’t breathing.
Paramedics gave first aid at the scene and took Dallas to hospital. But despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Dallas died on October 19 2021.
Neither Kelly nor Wright could explain Dallas’ fractured ribs.
Several experts who examined Dallas considered Kelly’s account of what happened on the morning of October 15 and found it inconsistent with his injuries indicating forceful shaking.
It was also made clear from the evidence uncovered as part of the investigation that both Mr Kelly and Miss Wright lived chaotic lives, both addicted to drugs and both seemingly prioritising drugs over food.
Video evidence taken from the bedroom was shown in court of Dallas crying for prolonged periods.
Mr Kelly denied child cruelty charges and murder, claiming he had no intention to seriously harm Dallas and Miss Wright denied charges of child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.
Following a two-week trial both were found guilty of child cruelty and Mr Kelly was found guilty of murdering baby Dallas.
The CPS worked with Cumbria Constabulary to build a strong case to put before the jury.
A combination of phone evidence building a picture of their drug abuse, financial difficulties and Kelly’s irritability, medical evidence including causation and their inconsistent explanations led the the jury to be sure that Mr Kelly murdered his son and that both parents were guilty of child cruelty.
Victoria Agulló, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Dallas’s life was tragically cut short by his father, who should have loved and cared for him.
“Throughout the police investigation and up until the first day of the trial Reece Kelly denied that he had caused any injuries to baby Dallas.
“Even after admitting manslaughter, he claimed that he had no intention to cause him serious harm, however the evidence the jury heard throughout the trial convinced them otherwise.
“Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Dallas’ death.”
They will be sentenced on Monday November 20.
Detective Superintendent Jenny Beattie, who led the investigation into Dallas’ death, said:
“Both Reece Kelly and Georgia Wright denied their involvement throughout a lengthy and thorough criminal investigation into the death of their son.
“It took until the first day of the trial for Reece Kelly to admit manslaughter, however the evidence collated underlined he used significant force in shaking Dallas.
“A jury have heard the evidence gathered by the officers of Cumbria Constabulary and put before them by the Crown Prosecution Service – and found them guilty. I would like to thank the jury for the attention they have shown during a trial containing distressing evidence.
“I would also like to thank our colleagues within the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecuting counsel Mr Richard Littler KC and Mr Tim Evans for the manner in which the case has been prepared and delivered at trial.
“As a parent you have no greater responsibility than to your child. Reece Kelly and Georgia Wright did not provide the care that a young child requires.
“They regularly left Dallas unsupervised whilst they took drugs. They failed to take him to medical appointments and are still to take full responsibility for their actions.
“Lastly, I must thank the dedicated team of officers and staff from Cumbria Constabulary who worked on this investigation. The impact this has had on everyone involved in this case is significant, yet we have diligently worked to establish the facts.
“From the outset, the objective of our investigation was to robustly and sensitively establish what happened to Dallas. No verdict or sentence will bring Dallas back; however, we now know that the person responsible for his death has been brought to justice.”
