Almost two decades after the death of toddler Jordan Thompson in the Hunter region, a man has this week gone on trial, charged with manslaughter.
Cecil Kennedy was dating the boy’s mother at the time, and has denied poisoning the 21-month-old with anti-depressant medication.
Kennedy was looking after the 21-month-old and his own child while Jordan’s mother, Bernice Swales, went to the shops with her daughter and Kennedy’s two other children.
An autopsy found traces of the anti-depressant Amitriptyline, commonly known as ENDEP, in the 21 month old’s system.
Kennedy had a prescription for the drug but allegedly kept it secret from his partner… suggesting the boy could have ingested it during a visit with his father.
The 50 year old has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter… the trial is expected to run for 8 weeks.
