Mother killed toddler with pills

A mother has admitted causing the death of her son by feeding him crushed anti-depressant pills to make him sleep.

The Old Bailey heard that Laura-Jane Vestuto, 28, of Clapton, east London, regularly doped 21-month-old Renzo.

But the drug built up in his body because he was unable to break it down, and on 2 September 2007 Renzo awoke with breathing problems and died.

Vestuto, who pleaded guilty via videolink to causing or allowing his death, faces up to 14 years in prison.

'Perfectly healthy child'

Tests showed that twice the safe adult dose of Amitriptyline had built up in his body.

Police found traces of the drug on the baby's feeder, and also believe it may have been added to juice or milk.

Det Insp Keith Braithwaite of the Metropolitan Police said: "This drug was commonly used as an anti-depressant in the 1970s and 1980s but is prescribed to people in pain to make them sleep.

"Vestuto was giving Renzo small regular dozes but a child cannot break it down in his body."

He added: "He had been a perfectly fit and healthy child."

Renzo's father, a baker, was not aware of the mother's actions and the pair have since broken up.

A more serious charge of manslaughter was allowed to lie on file after Vestuto pleaded not guilty to that offence.

She is being held in custody and will be sentenced later this month.