THE circumstances surrounding the death of a Stourbridge baby remain unknown following an inquest this week.

Ellis Cunningham was just seven weeks old when he died at Russells Hall Hospital on July 19 after being found unconscious by his mother, Nicola Kiernan, Black Country Coroner’s Court was told at a hearing on Monday (October 10).

The court was told West Midlands Ambulance Service received a call at 8.54am from Miss Kiernan – who was not present at court – and paramedics arrived at 9.02am to find baby Ellis unresponsive at his Ibstock Drive home, lying face down on the arm of the sofa.

Ellis was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and just a few minutes later he had to be resuscitated, but despite the efforts of medics he could not be revived.

Senior Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique said there were “possible unusual circumstances” regarding how baby Ellis was found but post mortem results showed “no adverse clinical findings”.

Dr Philip Cox, of Birmingham Women’s Hospital, said tests carried out on the youngster came back with normal results – and Mr Siddique concluded: “The cause of death remains unascertained.

“There are conflicting pieces of evidence as to how exactly the baby was found, but given those uncertainties I will give an open conclusion.”

He added: “May I use this opportunity to give my condolences to the family of baby Ellis Cunningham.”