Woman who fed baby sausage is jailed

A woman who fed a nine-month-old baby a piece of sausage, despite being told not to by the boy's mother, has been jailed after he choked to death. Patryk Bialek died at Westgate Crescent, Slough, Berkshire, after being given the piece of frankfurter by Stella Rekiec in May 2008. She was at a party at the house when the boy's mother went out.

When the mother returned her son was choking. Rekiec was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 18 months. The 28-year-old, who used to reside at the address but now lives in New Malden, south-west London, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court.

Police said on the evening of Patryk's death, the four occupants of the house, including Rekiec and the boy's parents, held a small party in Rekiec's room. The boy's mother left to go to the shops but returned about 15 minutes later to find her son lying motionless on the bed and choking. She attempted to resuscitate him, but he died later in hospital.

Rekiec later admitted that she had fed Patryk the sausage, despite being previously warned not to by his mother. Det Sgt Emma Brown, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Any loss of life is sad, but the death of a young child in such circumstances is particularly tragic. Our thoughts remain with Patryk's parents."

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