Mum, 25, and dad, 26, charged after death of baby boy, 1, from ‘severe malnutrition’ and ‘neglect’ of second child

A MUM and dad have been charged after their one-year-old baby died from “severe malnutrition”. Another child in the care of Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, was found to be “neglected and underdeveloped”. Little Maero Johnson was rushed to hospital but, despite the best efforts of medical teams, tragically died in August 2023. The one-year-old was later found to have been suffering from ketonic hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar – and severe malnutrition. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Merseyside Police launched a probe after another child at the home was found to be neglected and underdeveloped. Johnson, of Hempstead Close, and Smith, of Holly Bank Street in St Helens, have now been charged with causing/allowing the death of a child. The pair also face charges of child neglect and possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. They are set to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court next week. The force said: “Two parents have been charged following the death of their child three years ago in St Helens. “Just after midnight on 23 August 2023, we received a report that a one-year-old boy, Maero Johnson, had been taken to hospital. Most read in The Sun “But despite medical staff’s best efforts he sadly passed away. “A Home Officer postmortem confirmed Maero died of ketonic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition. “A second child was found to be neglected and underdeveloped. “Adam Johnson, 26 years, of Hempstead Close in St Helens, and Kylie Smith, 25 years, of Holly Bank Street in St Helens, have been charged with causing/allowing the death of a child, child neglect and possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. “They will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday 13 August.”