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Wolverhampton baby 'murder' case: Parents in court on charges over new born son's death

A father from Wolverhampton appeared in court today charged with murdering his newborn baby son.

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Unemployed 22-year-old Daniel Sanzone and 18-year-old Zoe Howell, the youngster's mother, were arrested two days after 13-day-old Joshua was taken to New Cross Hospital in cardiac arrest in October last year.

The boy was two weeks old when he was first admitted to hospital and after spending almost a month in intensive care, he died on November 21.

And today Sanzone and Howell appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court where a trial date was set for October.

Sanzone, who is charged with murdering Joshua, sat with his hand over his face during the hearing, while Howell sat next to him holding a teddy bear.

Howell has been charged with one count of causing or allowing the death of a child and a separate count of assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing Joshua in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

No pleas have been entered.

The defendants, who had lived in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, had previously been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, engaging in sexual activity with a baby and allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.

But following the results of tests by medical experts, new charges have been brought against them.

Although initially taken to New Cross Hospital on October 24, Joshua was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he spent a month in intensive care and more serious injuries came to light.

Two other women, aged 46 and 32, who were initially arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the child, were eliminated from the police investigation.

Sanzone remains in custody while Howell was previously been granted conditional police bail.

Howell was granted bail until today's hearing on condition she lives at a specified address in Wolverhampton, wears an electronic tag, complies with a 10pm to 7am curfew and does not make contact with Sanzone, or anyone under 16.

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