'I've got a baby and I've stabbed her': Disturbed young mother killed daughter after breaking up with partner



A young mother made a harrowing 999 call saying: 'I've got a baby and I've stabbed her,' a court heard today.



Jade Ruck, 23, killed her 11-month-old daughter Harley after breaking up with the baby's father.

She stabbed the child to death in a 'frenzied' attack in the early hours of the morning before calling emergency services.

Her call to the 999 operator was read out in court as she sat in the dock showing no emotion.

Tragic: Harley Ruck was 11 months old when she was stabbed to death by her mentally disturbed mother

Ruck said: 'Basically I've got a situation here - I don't know what's happening.

'I've got an 11-month-old baby and I've literally stabbed her.

'I couldn't handle my life any more. I've stabbed her with a kitchen knife. She took ages to go as well.'

Police arrived at Ruck's flat in Abergavenny, South Wales, and found Harley dead in the hallway.

Swansea Crown Court heard Ruck was acting as if nothing was wrong and told officers: 'I'm free now, I'm alright as long as I'm free.'

James Wilson, prosecuting, said: 'Jade met Harley's father Dorian Twist in 2008 and when she became pregnant they moved into a flat together.

'But the father moved out before the baby was born and Jade had difficulties coming to terms with the end of the relationship.

'Her family noticed and were concerned with her welfare but baby Harley was happy and well looked after.'

The court heard Mr Twist received a telephone call from Ruck in the days before the tragedy in November last year.

Mr Wilson said: 'She was shouting and saying she was still in love with him and he needed to come and see her.

'Mr Twist was concerned and asked his mother to check on his ex-girlfriend and the baby.'

The court heard Ruck made the 999 call at 5am on November 20.

Mr Wilson said: 'A pathologist who saw Harley's body at the scene said her injuries were consistent with a frenzied attack.'

A post mortem examination revealed Harley suffered multiple stab wounds and there were also signs of strangulation and suffocation.

Blonde Ruck denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court heard she was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia but was only diagnosed after she had killed her little baby.

Peter Murphy QC, defending, said: 'It would be in Jade's best interests to be treated in hospital.

'The way she spoke before and after the attack was characteristic of someone who is seriously mentally unwell.'

The court heard that social services were not involved in baby Harley's care but an inquiry has now been launched by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

Judge Lloyd Jones KT told Ruck: 'This was a great tragedy for everybody concerned - in particular those who tried to support and help you.

'Your understanding, perception and ability to make judgements were affected by your mental state.

'I only hope that the end of this case brings some kind of closure to you.

'Ruck was made the subject of an indefinite hospital order.

Harley's family have described her death as 'an horrific tragedy'.

They said: 'Harley was our beautiful, happy, loving little daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, niece and cousin.

'She was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by all around her, especially by her lost, heartbroken mum.'











