Woman accused of killing baby told 999 call she 'turned purple'

A woman accused of killing her baby by exposing her to heat from a hairdryer told an emergency call handler the infant had gone "purple" while she was asleep.

Courtney Gartshore told the operator three-month-old Dahlia-Rose's skin and fingers had changed colour without her noticing.

A recording of a 999 call placed in the early hours of 30 September 2023 was played during the trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Gartshore, 27, denies a charge of culpable homicide and a number of other offences.

Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing.

She is accused of "culpably and recklessly" causing Dahlia-Rose to be subjected to heat from the appliance while the child was in her care in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Prosecutors allege that Dahlia-Rose's injuries were so severe that she died as a result.

It is also claimed Gartshore consumed alcohol and took the Class B drug mephedrone while in sole charge of the infant.

In the recording, which was played on the second day of the trial, Gartshore can be heard in a state of distress.

When asked by the call handler if Dahlia-Rose was breathing, she said: "No, she's dead".

She added: "I've literally just woken up and her head is all purple and, I just don't know, I need help".

Towards the end of the call, Gartshore told the operator she and Dahlia-Rose usually slept through the night.

She said: "I feel so bad because I've been sleeping and she's obviously been like this for hours before she's like this".

The court also heard from first responders who arrived at Gartshore's property following the emergency call.

Paramedic Shona Helm said she arrived to find the body of Dahlia-Rose fully covered by a blanket.

She said Dahlia-Rose was lying on her side and had skin that was in some parts discoloured and other parts missing.

Helm said she went to hug Gartshore after telling her Dahlia-Rose was deceased and that there was a "strong smell of alcohol".

She said Gartshore told her Dahlia-Rose had been "fine" the previous night, and that she had slept in the bed with her.

The trial was later shown police bodycam footage recorded by PC Steve McEwen, who carried out an initial search of Gartshore's flat.

PC McEwen said Gartshore had expressed "hesitancy" about allowing officers inside, telling them "it was a mess".

The officer said he found "clutter" inside, including dirty dishes, bin bags, soiled nappies and dead flies by the living room window.

The court heard faeces and blood was found in the bathroom.

Within the bodycam footage, PC McEwen highlighted what appeared to be a white "extension cable" at the head of the bed in the main bedroom, and what he observed to be an "indent" on the bed.

Earlier, the court had heard from a neighbour of Gartshore, Leanne Thomson, who said Dahlia-Rose's face had been "frozen" after touching her hours before the emergency call was placed.

Thomson said Gartshore had been "shouting" after returning to the home on King Street having been out drinking with friends.

The witness told how she and another neighbour, who she had been drinking with, had gone outside to see Gartshore.

She said Dahlia-Rose was in her pram and she touched her on the face.

On feeling her to be cold, Thomson said she told Gartshore her daughter "needed a blanket".

Gartshore, of Aberdeen, faces a separate charge of wilfully neglecting Dahlia-Rose on 29 and 30 September 2023.

This includes claims she drank alcohol to excess, did "co-sleep" with the baby while intoxicated and possess controlled drugs.

It is further claimed the property was unsanitary, with soiled nappies and spoiled food and drink littered around.

Another charge alleges that Gartshore was in possession of mephedrone and cocaine.

The trial continues.