An inquest examining the deaths of a Wigan borough mum, 19, and her newborn baby has been delayed
A coroner expressed his “profound regret” at having to delay an inquest looking into the deaths of a teen mum and her newborn baby.
Nineteen-year-old Mellodie-Ocean Jarman, from Atherton, and her daughter Athena-Pearl Darbyshire, who was just 18 hours old, both died on February 2 last year at Royal Bolton Hospital.
An inquest was scheduled to begin on Monday, March 16 at Bolton Coroner’s Court to look into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
But senior coroner Timothy Brennand decided to vacate that date after being told a key witness will be unable to attend for medical reasons.
During a pre-inquest review on Monday, he said it was being done with “profound regret”.
It is hoped that having the witness attend the inquest will ensure Mellodie and Athena’s family hear the best evidence possible.
Efforts will now be made to find a new date for the inquest administratively, though a further pre-inquest review could be held on Monday, March 16 if difficulties arise.
Mr Brennand said the inquest could be listed at some point between September and December and it could be led by a different coroner if necessary. The inquest is expected to last for four days.
The delay will provide additional time to prepare for the hearing, which includes the family enlisting an expert dealing with haematology and addressing any issues surrounding the attendance of another witness.
Mellodie was thought to be a fit and healthy teenager looking forward to becoming a mum and was 32 weeks into her first pregnancy.
But tragedy struck when she became unwell and was taken to hospital.
An emergency Caesarean section was carried out and Athena-Pearl was born at 12.32am on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Medics continued to treat Mellodie but sadly she could not be saved and she was pronounced dead at 1.52am – just 80 minutes after her daughter’s birth.
The family spent time with both Mellodie and Athena, but unfortunately the baby’s condition deteriorated later that day.
She was placed in her mother’s arms and died at 6.24pm.
More than £16,000 was donated to a fund-raising appeal to help pay for their funerals.