Mother who killed baby daughter with heat from hairdryer jailed for six years

A mother who killed her three-month-old daughter with heat from a hairdryer has been jailed for six years.

Courtney Gartshore, 28, used the appliance to subject Dahlia-Rose Gartshore to “significant and sustained heat” on the head and body, fatally injuring her.

The incident took place at an address on King Street in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on September 30 2023.

Emergency services were called to the property but Dahlia-Rose was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gartshore had earlier been drinking while she had been in sole charge of the infant.

An investigation into the child’s death was launched and Gartshore, from Aberdeen, was arrested and charged in November 2023.

She was convicted of the culpable homicide of her daughter following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in July.

Gartshore was jailed for six years when she was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday.

Her defence lawyer, Murray Macara, said he could not provide a reasonable or compelling explanation for why she used the hairdryer but speculated that the baby was cold and that she may have attempted to “recklessly” use it as a source of heat.

Judge Simon Collins KC called it a “uniquely disturbing” case.

He said: “It is tragic as well as terrible.

“You will have to live the rest of your life with the knowledge that you were responsible for her death.

“This was a gross breach of the most basic duty as a parent.”

Although Judge Collins acknowledged that Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill her baby, he said she was culpable in the “highest degree” of carelessness.

He added that it “should have been obvious” that Dahlia Rose was in “severe distress and pain”.

Judge Collins said her likely cause of death was hyperthermia and heat stroke.

Gartshore’s defence lawyer Murray Macara called it a “truly tragic and distressing case”.

Gartshore was jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday (PA)

PA Wire

Since she was taken into custody, Mr Macara said Gartshore has spent approximately 23 hours a day in her cell, which he said is to ensure her own safety and protection.

He said Gartshore has a history of childhood trauma, mental health problems, overdoses and self-harm, but argued that she had provided appropriate care to her baby up until the night of her death.

Gartshore maintained that she has no recollection of using the hair dryer on her baby.

Mr Macara said that he could not provide a reasonable or compelling explanation for why Gartshore used the hairdryer on her baby, but he speculated that it was “culpably and recklessly” used as a source of heat.

He speculated that the baby was cold and that Gartshore may have attempted to “recklessly” use the hairdryer as a source of heat.

The court heard that Gartshore used the hairdryer on Dahlia-Rose for up to an hour, resulting in burns to approximately 18% of her body surface – particularly to her head, neck, upper body and one of her arms.

He said the injuries were “severe and disfiguring” but evidence showed they were likely “survivable”.

Gartshore appeared in court via video link wearing a navy prison uniform. She cried and was visibly emotional throughout the sentencing.

Following her conviction, Detective Inspector James Callander said: “Children are defenceless and should be protected. The death of any child is particularly harrowing, but a child’s death at the hands of a parent is incredibly disturbing.

“Everyone involved in this investigation was deeply affected by the circumstances of Dahlia-Rose’s death, but our job is to uncover the truth and ensure that the person responsible is brought to justice.

“I would like to express sincere thanks to everyone who supported what was an incredibly difficult and sensitive inquiry.

“The unwavering commitment and professionalism shown by our officers and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure this complex inquiry was conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care, dignity, and respect.

“I also want to acknowledge the local community, for their patience, understanding and support throughout this investigation, particularly those who came forward with information, whose cooperation has been invaluable in helping us establish the truth and secure this conviction.”