Mother Rachel Bourne Jailed for 31 Months in Blurton After Her Newborn Daughter Phoebe Dies from Heroin and Crack Cocaine Exposure

The tragic loss of a ten-week-old baby, Phoebe, has led to the sentencing of her mother, Rachel Bourne, to 31 months in prison.

Phoebe died after being exposed to heroin and crack cocaine in her home in Blurton, Staffordshire.

The case has brought to light the devastating consequences of addiction and neglect.

The Incident That Shattered a Family

In October 2019, paramedics arrived at Bourne’s home to find her newborn daughter in cardiac arrest.

Despite efforts to save her, Phoebe was pronounced dead at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the infant had ingested heroin and cocaine, likely from exposure to drug smoke or contaminated surfaces in her environment.

Traces of cannabis were also found in her hair, suggesting passive exposure through sweat transfer from a drug user.

A Life Consumed by Addiction

Rachel Bourne, then 34, was struggling with a severe addiction to heroin and crack cocaine, spending £120 weekly to support her habit.

The court heard that Bourne, alongside Phoebe’s father, John Douglas, had been battling drug dependency for years.

The couple had been in a relationship since 2016, and Douglas is set to be sentenced for similar charges soon.

Defense Acknowledges the Devastation

Bourne’s defense lawyer, Paul Cliff, highlighted her efforts to recover from addiction since being remanded in custody in 2023.

He noted that she had been drug-free for a year and deeply regretted her actions.

While Bourne claimed she never used drugs in her child’s presence, she admitted to being unaware of the risks of passive exposure and cross-contamination.

“She has to live with the consequences of her addiction and the loss of her child,” Cliff stated, emphasizing the profound regret and chaos that followed Phoebe’s death.

A Judge’s Somber Reflection

During sentencing, Judge Graeme Smith remarked on the dual tragedies of the case: Phoebe’s untimely death and the irreversible damage caused by Bourne’s addiction.

He acknowledged that while there was no evidence Bourne directly administered drugs to her child, her lifestyle and choices created a hazardous environment.

“Drugs ruin lives. They ruined yours,” the judge said, condemning the prioritization of substance abuse over the welfare of her family.

What Lies Ahead

As Bourne serves her sentence, she faces the challenge of rebuilding her life free from addiction while carrying the weight of her child’s loss.

John Douglas’s sentencing will bring further closure to this tragic chapter, highlighting the ripple effects of addiction on families and the innocent lives caught in its wake.

This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for support systems to prevent similar tragedies and address the devastating impact of substance abuse.