Woman, 28, jailed 2 yrs for killing baby while drunk

PRISCILLA CHIPULU
Ndola
A 28-YEAR-OLD woman of Mufulira who pleaded guilty to causing the death of her one-month-old baby after she accidentally placed her elbow on his nose while in a drunken state has been sentenced to two years simple imprisonment.
Christine Musonda, who was facing a charge of manslaughter, pleaded guilty to unlawfully causing the death of her son, Steven Wanda, in April last year.
According to a statement of facts, Musonda left her home around 18:00 hours to go and drink kachasu.
She returned home around 20:00 hours and went to sleep in her bedroom.
“The accused was sleeping with her son, Steven Wanda, who was one month old. A few moments later, her other children heard the baby cry and went to check on him but were chased by the mother,” the statement reads.
“A few minutes later, the mother was found sleeping and her elbow was on the child’s nose.”
The children later called the neighbours, who rushed the baby to Kamuchanga District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Post-mortem revealed the cause of death to be close fracture of two to three neck vertebras.
Musonda was then arrested initially for murder, which was later reduced to manslaughter.
Delivering judgment, Ndola High Court Judge Winnie Mwenda noted that throughout the case, Musonda was in tears, which was a sign that she was remorseful for her actions.. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home