Off the Map: The case of Jayden Wray

This week it was reported that the parents of Jayden Wray had been cleared by the High Court of all responsibility for the death of their son.

As a result we have decided to remove the case from the map as it can no longer be said to be a homicide. Although experts disagreed about the cause of death, it is now thought that Rickets was responsible for the injuries.

Jayden Wray
Jayden Wray

This is how the case appeared before it was deleted:

Four month-old Jayden Wray died after suffering serious head injuries and fractures to his arm, leg and hands.

He was taken to hospital on July 22, 2009, after falling ill at the family home on the Barnsbury Estate in Islington, north London.

The boy died three days later at Great Ormond Street hospital.

His mother Chana Al-Alas, 18, and father Rohan Wray, 20, were initially charged with grievous bodily harm and released on police bail.

Following further medical reports, on August 3, 2010, they were charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

They went on trial at the Old Bailey on November 1, 2011. The prosecution claimed that Jayden died of brain damage after being shaken by his parents. The boy also suffered from Rickets, a softening of bones caused by vitamin D deficiency.

On December 9, 2011, both parents were cleared of all charges on the direction of the judge Stephen Kramer QC.

He said he had made his decision because the expert evidence about the cause of death was contradictory.

Judge Kramer added: “The evidence is that the parents were acting properly and gave no cause at all for concern over their care for Jayden.”

murdermap case summary

Links:

Parents cleared over Jayden Wray death of rickets – BBC

Couple cleared of killing son call for inquiry – Telegraph

Baby Jayden case renews concerns over rickets and child abuse allegations – Guardian

Parents of Jayden Wray reunited with second child after winning battle against Islington Council – Islington Gazette

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  1. Thank you for taking this case off the map. Those like myself who have been following these cases with a great deal of concern . I would ask that you continue to report with same degree of care. Obviously there will be more reports to follow and readers should take note that this case is only the tip of a very big iceberg.