Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Sunday 6th April 2025 at 08:45hrs
A 28-year-old woman from Gloucestershire has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of her five-month-old baby daughter, Lexi.
Melissa Wilband was found guilty on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.
The tragic events unfolded in April 2020, shortly after the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. Wilband was living at home with her two young children, a two-year-old boy and baby Lexi.
On the night of April 12, 2020, paramedics were called to their Gloucestershire residence where they found baby Lexi displaying signs consistent with trauma.
She was immediately taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital before being transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital for specialist care.
Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Lexi’s condition deteriorated. On April 17, 2020, the difficult decision was made to turn off her ventilator, and she sadly passed away the following morning, April 18, 2020.
A subsequent medical examination revealed the devastating cause of Lexi’s death: bleeding on her brain caused by violent shaking.
Disturbingly, evidence also indicated that Lexi had suffered previous brain bleeds from an earlier incident of shaking.
Following the conclusion of the trial, the jury delivered a guilty verdict for manslaughter.
Ann Hampshire of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) expressed the profound sadness surrounding the case. “Lexi’s life was tragically cut short by her mother, who should have loved and cared for her,” she said.
“Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Lexi’s death.”
Hampshire also commended the collaborative work between the CPS and the police in securing the conviction.
“Throughout the case we have worked in close partnership with the police to ensure justice was secured for Lexi and that her mother has been held accountable for her actions.”
Melissa Wilband is now scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2025, at Bristol Crown Court.
The conviction brings to a close the legal proceedings surrounding the heartbreaking death of baby Lexi, though the profound impact of this tragedy will undoubtedly continue to be felt.
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