Fatal accident inquiry to be held into baby’s death after drug exposure

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a baby who had been exposed to drugs at his home.

Olly-James Sievwright was three months old when he died in hospital on December 22 2019, having suffered from peritonitis and being exposed to mephedrone at his home in Sandhaven, Aberdeenshire.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death.

The FAI comes following the prosecution and conviction of Amy Beck for ill-treating and exposing Olly-James to controlled drugs, the COPFS said.

The inquiry will explore the circumstances of the death and the adequacy of the care provided to Beck and Olly-James by NHS Grampian and the Aberdeenshire social work department.

Andy Shanks of COPFS, Scotland’s death investigation authority, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Olly-James Sievwright occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.

“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.

“Olly-James’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.

The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and establishing what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

A preliminary hearing will take place on March 5 at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council have been approached for comment.