Reporter describes 'harrowing' phone call of a mum who tried to save her baby. Source: ITV News
An inquest into the death of a 13-month-old baby girl who was "probably sexually assaulted" by her father heard a harrowing 999 call made by the child's mother.
Poppi Worthington died suddenly on December 12 2012 after collapsing at her home in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
In January 2016 it was revealed a family court judge had ruled in 2014 that Poppi's father, 49-year-old Paul Worthington, had probably sexually assaulted her, the Daily Mail reports.
Mr Worthington, who denies any involvement in his daughter's death, has escaped prosecution after police lost crucial evidence.
On the first day of the second inquest into Poppi's death, the court was played a recording of a frantic 10-minute phone call between Poppi's mother and a 999 call handler shortly before 6am on the day of the baby's death.
She told the operator: "Ambulance please. My baby's not breathing, she gone blue.
"Erm, she's not been well, on and off, last few days. She's not breathing. She's not breathing. She's blue."
The call handler responds: "Can you just try to be calm?' before giving instructions to Poppi's mother to lay the child flat on her back, check that her airways are clear, tilt her head back and then begin CPR.
The mother tells her partner: "Oh my God. Two breaths, 30 pumps. Keep going! Keep going until the ambulance arrives.
"Come on Poppi. Come on baby. Oh f****** hell. I think she just breathed! Oh! Oh come on. Oh my God come on Poppi.
"Come on keep going. Come on. Come on baby. Come on ambulance please. Please come on.
"What's wrong with her, Paul? She's not breathing."
Paramedics are then heard arriving in the background at the end of the call which lasted up to 10 minutes. More than a hour later, Poppi was pronounced dead at Furness General Hospital.
The original inquest into Poppi's death was heard in private, lasted just seven minutes and heard no evidence. Photo / Handout
Earlier at the inquest, Poppi's mother was frequently visibly distressed as she gave evidence and asked not to be present when the 999 call was played in court.
Asked about Poppi's personality, she said: "Very alive, bubbly. You knew she was there, there was no missing her."
On the early evening of December 11, she said she placed Poppi in her cot in one of the home's three bedrooms as later other siblings at the address went to sleep.
Mr Worthington followed upstairs, she said, but she eventually slept downstairs on the sofa as one of her other children awoke and she settled him in a pushchair.
She later awoke when she heard Poppi cry out and described it as 'more of a scream'.
Ms Irving said: "At that time were you aware there was an allegation that she (Poppi) had been sexually abused before death?"
The mother replied: "No."
Speaking about Mr Worthington, she had told police: "I love Paul. He is my best friend. He has supported me. We are honest with each other when we argue.
"Paul is a brilliant dad who cares for his kids, loves them and provides for them.
"There is no way Paul could have harmed Poppi. The children are his world.
"I could never have harmed her either. She was my beautiful daughter.
During the second inquest Mr Worthington will face questions about his daughter's death for the first time.
Mr Justice Peter Jackson, a High Court judge, ruled in January 2016 that Mr Worthington had probably sexually assaulted the 13-month-old girl in the hours before her collapse.
He said Poppi's 'significant bleeding' within 15 minutes of the 999 call made from the family home could only be sensibly explained as the result of penetrative trauma.
He also listed 12 serious errors and omissions by police, social workers and medical staff.
These meant the most basic evidence that could have helped secure a prosecution was lost or never collected.
The second inquest will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding Poppi's death. Photo / Facebook
Police failed to collect key evidence including Mr Worthington's laptop, Poppi's last nappy, clothes and bedclothes, and bedding from the hospital where she was declared dead.
Forensic tests were not carried out, the family home was not secured, senior officers did not visit the home and the parents were not arrested and interviewed by police for eight months.
Cumbria Police and social services then tried to cover up their numerous failings.
The original inquest into Poppi's death, in 2014, for "a child aged 13 months" was heard in private, lasted just seven minutes and heard no evidence.
Coroner Ian Smith recorded an open verdict, which was later ruled unlawful.
The facts surrounding Poppi's death only began to be made public after an 18-month legal fight by the Mail and other media groups.
Coroners can ask witnesses to attend informally or issue a summons under common law powers.
A person cannot refuse to be a witness because their evidence could lead them to be charged with a crime, but they can refuse to answer questions put to them on the grounds of self-incrimination.
The latest hearing comes almost five years after Poppi died from the injuries sustained shortly after her father, who had been watching pornography, took her into his bed at the family home in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in December 2012.
A Home Office pathologist reported she had sustained internal injuries before she died consistent with sexual abuse but a formal cause of death has not been ascertained.
The second inquest will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding Poppi's death.
Paul Worthington will give evidence at the inquest into the death of his daughter Poppi. Photo / Handout
Mr Worthington is among 39 names on a list of witnesses to appear in person at the hearing.
Earlier this year he asked for permission to give evidence via videolink after voicing fears for his own safety.
Last year the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed there was 'insufficient evidence' to charge Mr Worthington with any offence over his daughter's death
Other witnesses appearing include Poppi's mother, her aunt Tracey Worthington, and paramedics who responded to the 999 call.
Fiona McGhie, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the child's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "Poppi's mother hopes that the inquest, which has been much delayed over the last two years, can shed some light on Poppi's final hours."
Police officers who attended Poppi's home address in the hours after she died will also give evidence, as will former detective inspector Amanda Sadler, who was allowed to retire rather than face gross misconduct charges.
HM senior coroner for Cumbria, David Roberts, is expected to adjourn the proceedings over Christmas and New Year before he gives his formal conclusions on January 15.
