Mother Suffering From Postnatal Depression Kills 10-month-old Daughter

A mother, who had been treated for postnatal depression, suffocated her child after receiving a letter from her ex-partner.

Erin Sutherland, 36, has a history of postnatal depression. In 2006, after giving birth to an older daughter, she was diagnosed with postnatal depression and received hospital treatment.

Sutherland is suffering from postnatal depression again after giving birth to baby Chloe, but she was denied the treatment and support because her child was already over six months old. Her symptoms worsened when her baby was eight months old, she became an in-patient.

The prosecutor reached out to psychiatrist John Crichton who later realized after the consultation that postnatal depression will no longer be considered  a factor after six months.

In February, Sutherland received a letter from Chloe's father detailing his proposal to visit their child. It was not good news for her.

On the same day, she phoned a postnatal depression service at 1 p.m. and the employee who received the call described Sutherland as "anxious and seemed scared by a letter she had received from her ex-partner regarding access to the children," Mail Online reports.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran added that Sutherland was asked by the staff if she felt suicidal to which she replied that she will not do anything foolish.

However, Sutherland did no take her words seriously because after that incident, she killed her 10-month old daughter by suffocating the child.

In a report from BBC News, she assaulted the baby and covered her nose and mouth so she can't breathe until little Chloe died. The killing occurred at Sutherland's home in Parkhead View on February 3.

After killing the child, Sutherland called a friend and inform that friend that she put her daughter Chloe to sleep. The friend went to Sutherland's house and found the paramedics.

When the police and paramedics arrived at Sutherland's home, they found the little girl limp, pale and no longer breathing. They immediately tried to resuscitate the child, but to no avail.

The family described baby Chloe as "beautiful and vibrant little girl," Daily Mail has learned.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to the Children (NSPCC) is calling everyone to support families going through perinatal mental health issues.

A spokeswoman said, "This heart wrenching case highlights the urgent need to address the considerable gaps in support for families struggling with perinatal mental health issues. Support must be available when and for as long as families need it."

On June 23, Sutherland pleaded guilty to culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the High Court in Edinburgh.