Parents Jailed After Baby Dies from Neglect

Seven-week-old Ronnie Higginson died from cardiac arrest after being exposed to the psychoactive drug 'monkey dust' in a squalid home, an inquest revealed. Despite showing signs of respiratory distress, his parents, Kayleigh Clarke and Michael Higginson, failed to seek medical attention. Toxicology reports confirmed the presence of monkey dust and other substances in Ronnie's system, although his exact cause of death remains undetermined. Social workers had previously expressed concerns about the family's living conditions, describing them as among the worst seen in 16 years of child protection work. Clarke was sentenced to 27 months in prison for child cruelty, while Higginson received a suspended 15-month sentence. The case raises serious questions about child welfare protections and parental responsibilities in the face of drug abuse.