Mom Strangled Baby 13 Times

(Lincoln County, England) A 24-year-old local mother, Andrea Kirkham, attempted to asphyxiate her baby 13 times without anyone in the hospital becoming suspicious. Fortunately, she was ultimately seen in a smothering attempt.

Medics repeatedly battled to save the "floppy and lifeless" newborn girl at Lincoln County Hospital after her breathing was stifled with a towel or flannel. They were baffled by the baby's condition until a nurse caught Kirkham in the act.

Kirkham, of Lincoln, was diagnosed with attention-seeking Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy.

It's noteworthy that only after the baby was transferred to a different hospital, Queen's Medical Center, that Kirkham was discovered attempting to smother her child.

Kirkham was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of 13 counts of child cruelty in Lincoln Crown Court. The baby, now three years old, has been adopted.

Jeez, I don't know but it seems that British hospitals should be held to the standard that only nine smothering attempts are allowed to go unnoticed and without suspicion. Hospital staff could be warned that if they don't become suspicious by the tenth smothering attempt, reprimands will be considered.

Another thing, why wasn't Kirkham charged with 13 counts of attempted murder? Or even one count?