Workington woman denies cruelty and 'allowing' death of her child

Georgia Wright, 22, from Workington, appeared in the dock at Carlisle Crown Court before a High Court judge who conducted the hearing via a video link, as did defence counsel in the case.

Wright formally pleaded not guilty to the three allegations she faces, two relating to her son, four-month-old Dallas Kelly, in Workington on October 19 last year, and a second child cruelty charge.

Dallas Kelly's father Reece Martin Kelly, 30, has yet to enter pleas to the charges he is facing, which include murdering Dallas.

In court today, Wright replied not guilty three times after the court clerk put each of the charges she faces to her.

Those charges were: causing or allowing the death of a child, Dallas Kelly, by failing to protect him from risk that she ought to have foreseen; and two counts of cruelty to a person aged under 16, one relating to Dallas.

In more detail, the first charge she denied alleges that on or before October 19 2021, while she lived in the same household as Reece Martin Kelly and while she had 'frequent contact with Dallas', and while he was at 'significant risk of serious physical harm', she failed to take such steps as she could reasonably have been expected to take to protect Dallas from that risk... in circumstances she foresaw or ought to have foreseen.

Carlisle Crown Court

In more detail, the second denied charge - faced jointly with Reece Martin Kelly - alleges that between May 23, 2021, and October 15, 2021, while having responsibility for Dallas Kelly, Wright "deliberately or recklessly ill-treated, neglected or exposed the said Dallas Kelly in a manner likely to cause [him] unnecessary suffering or injury to health, namely by failing to take him to important medical appointments, failing to provide basic parental care and exposing him to harmful substances."

The second child cruelty allegation she jointly faces relates to another child.

After legal discussions, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Christopher Butcher, adjourned the case until May 10.

It is expected that a trial - due to last around three weeks - will get underway on June 12.

Wright was granted bail on condition that she continues to live at her current Workington address.

Reece Martin Kelly, of Hunday Court, Workington, appeared before the court via a video link and spoke only to confirm his personal details. He was remanded in custody until the next hearing, when he is expected to enter his pleas.