A teenage mother who killed her 38-day-old baby son with a paracetamol overdose was sentenced to five years in prison today.
Ellie Jacobs, 19, gave birth to Archie Jacobs in April 2020 while living in a trailer park in Biddlesden, near Buckingham. She was 16 years old.
Archie died about five weeks later after crushed paracetamol tablets were added to his bottle.
Jacobs denied the murder and child cruelty charges earlier in her trial at Luton Crown Court earlier this month. But later she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and also admitted to child cruelty.
Today she was sentenced to five years for manslaughter and 18 months for child abuse, while also having to run for office.
Will Crowther, Chief Inspector of Bedfordshire Police, said it was a “very sad case” but noted he was pleased Jacobs had accepted responsibility for Archie’s death.
Ellie Jacobs, 19, (pictured) was today sentenced to five years in prison for killing her 38-day-old baby son with a paracetamol overdose
Jacobs had denied the charges of murder and child cruelty earlier in the month at the start of her trial at Luton Crown Court (pictured). But later she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and also admitted to child cruelty
Archie was born on April 28, 2020 and died of a paracetamol overdose on June 5 of the same year – when he was just five weeks old.
“Sometime during the evening of June 4 or into the early hours of June 5, crushed adult acetaminophen tablets were added to his bottle,” prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC told the court.
Jacobs had admitted to only adding a pinch of paracetamol.
When Archie’s body was examined, it was found that he had two fractures – one in the right shin and four in the big toe of his right foot. They were caused three to seven days before his death.
Jacobs’ partner, rumored to be Jay, had moved out just days before she was born and Archie had been placed on a child protection plan.
Her mother, Sarah Jacobs, and her stepfather lived at the trailer park. The mother had supported her daughter and grandson, but died in a traffic accident on May 10, 2020.
Ms Bickerstaff KC said: “Following the death of her mother, Ellie Jacobs received offers from family friends and from family members that she and Archie could live with them, but she declined and also refused social services support to live with her continued to live in the mother and child unit and stayed in the trailer with Archie. ‘
She was in regular contact with a social worker, the nurse and the midwife, but as Archie was born during the first Covid lockdown some of the contact was via video call.
Despite the pandemic, a social worker conducted weekly visits. She noted that the trailer was clean but crammed with lots of animals making the place look “busy” but there was no smell in the trailer.
Police found a diary in the caravan in which Jacobs had written less than two weeks before Archie’s death: “I don’t know how much longer I can continue this act of well-being.” I don’t even know how it feels anymore to be okay I don’t think I’ll ever feel that again. I mean, I feel like I have everything, even my home, which is crazy because I have a roof over my head, but this place just doesn’t feel like home. I don’t know where my home is anymore.
“My home has always been where my mother was.” As long as I had my mother, I was fine.’
She continued, “I hate every single second that I spend on this earth without her.” It doesn’t feel real, I wish this was all a nightmare and I’d wake up with my life back soon, with my mom on my side, because I’m seriously starting to struggle with everything.
Jacobs’ mother Sarah (left) died just a few days after the birth of the then 16-year-old. Jacobs (right) said, “I hate every single second I spend on this earth without her.” It doesn’t feel real, I wish this was all a nightmare and I’d wake up with my life back soon, mine Mom by my side because I’m seriously starting to struggle with everything.”
“I hate myself so much because every time I look at Archie I feel absolutely nothing, if he cries I just don’t care, and if Kelly, my neighbor, takes him away from me for a few hours to to give myself a break, I sincerely hope that this break will never end.
“I don’t know if it’s right, but when I’m away from Archie I don’t miss him at all, I just feel a load being lifted off my shoulders.” I have no idea if it’s just because I’m busy right now and struggling without my mom, or is it Jay because Archie is a reminder of Jay and all the pain he caused me emotionally and physically!’
After Archie’s death, a baby bottle was examined and evidence was found that suggested six crushed pills had been included with it.
When questioned, Jacobs said she only put a “pinch” of acetaminophen in the bottle.
Detective Chief Inspector Will Crowther of the Major Crime Unit said today: “This is a very sad case in which a five week old boy lost his life.”
“I am delighted that Ellie Jacobs has finally accepted responsibility for Archie’s death and for the serious injuries Archie sustained in the days leading up to his death.”
“I hope this admission of guilt will help the rest of Archie’s family move forward after these tragic circumstances.”
