Yorkshire paramedic accused of killing baby with 'catastrophic brain injuries' told court she 'never ever hurt' her

Foster mum Sarah Higgins, 42, is accused of inflicting catastrophic brain injuries on ten-month-old Skyla Giller while caring for the baby alone at her home.

However, Higgins has insisted Skyla "slipped from her arms" and fell from a low height, landing on her bottom - not her head.

The toddler was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary on the night of 24 August 2017 where doctors discovered a brain bleed and performed emergency surgery to save her life.

The court heard how doctors believed the tot suffered a “significant injury which is unexplained”.

During an interview with police on April 6, 2018, Higgins denied intentionally hurting Skyla and said the baby had not suffered any head injuries the evening of the fall.

The court heard Higgins had said: “I have never, ever hurt [Skyla]. It never made any sense to me how and what happened.

“We have been waiting for an answer wondering how this could happen.

“I can’t explain it. It’s not like we were thinking of an explanation for all of this.

“I’ve been open from the start.”

She added: “When we got her it was the happiest we’ve ever been.”

The court heard how Higgins was “completely committed” to adoption after going through eight rounds of IVF treatments.

But after they were unsuccessful, they decided to look into adoption.

The court heard how the couple spent a lot of time discussing adoption and how her partner, Martin Dobson, had “reservations”.

But Higgins told the officers adopting a baby was “all I ever wanted”.

Skyla tragically died of her injuries two days after the fall, but Higgins claimed there was no possible explanation for a spontaneous bleed in the brain.

Leeds Crown Court heard officers who interviewed Higgins after she was arrested questioned her version of events, after independent medical professionals claimed her version was “inconsistent”.

Prosecutor Richard Wright QC and Detective Constable David White, leading an inquiry team at West Yorkshire, reenacted the police interview held on 6 April 2018 for the court.

Mr Wright QC said: “Her injuries are not consistent with falling from a low height.