Mother, 39, of seven-year-old boy who died in 2017 denies child cruelty and killing him through gross negligence after 'failing to manage his asthma'
A mother has denied killing her seven-year-old son through gross negligence after she was accused of failing to manage his asthma.
Schoolboy Hakeem Hussain was found dead by paramedics at a house in Birmingham, on 26 November 2017.
The youngster, who was found inside the property, had suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
Mother Laura Heath, of Nechells, Birmingham, pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of child cruelty when she appeared at Birmingham Crown Court today by video link from HMP Peterborough.
The mother of schoolboy Hakeem Hussain has denied negligence manslaughter and child cruelty in court after the seven-year-old was found dead at a house in Birmingham
The 39-year-old is alleged to have unlawfully killed Hakeem by breaching her duty of care.
In particulars of the manslaughter charge read out in court, she is alleged to have 'failed to manage his asthma' by 'failing to administer medication, twice daily, failure to ensure an adequate supply of medication'.
The charge says she failed 'by exposing him to known asthma triggers; smoke, dust and low temperature, and impairing your own ability, by smoking heroin and crack cocaine, and failing to seek medical help when clear his asthma symptoms were not under control'.
Laura Heath, of Nechells, is alleged to have 'failed to manage his asthma' by 'failing to administer medication, twice daily, failure to ensure an adequate supply of medication'
The child cruelty allegations date to between either April 12 and August 23, 2017, or September 8 and November 26, 2017.
A date for her trial, which will take place before a High Court judge, was set for March 12, 2022.
Heath was remanded to appear back at the Birmingham court for a pre-trial hearing next year.
Hakeem attended nearby Nechells Primary Academy, where pupils have been offered counselling.
Heath was remanded to appear back at the Birmingham court for a pre-trial hearing next year. Pictured: The scene of the schoolboy's death in November 2017
Head Julie Wright wrote to parents in the wake of the death. She said: 'This loss to our academy community is sure to raise many emotions and concerns for our staff and pupils.
'We currently cannot provide any further information, however we would like to reassure you that there will be dedicated support in place at this difficult time.
'We are working with Birmingham City Council to ensure that staff and pupils have access to grief and bereavement counsellors.
'We are saddened by the loss to our academy community and will make every effort to support you and your child as you need.'