St Helens parents deny causing death of one-year-old son
They've been granted bail ahead of a pre-trial hearing on April 5 2027
A mother and father from St Helens have denied causing the death of their one-year-old son.
Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, are charged in connection with the death of Maero Johnson three years ago.
The defendants appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday September 10 where their trial, expected to last four to six weeks, was listed for April 19.
Smith, wearing a white polo shirt and with her hair in a long plait, and Johnson both pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of a child between June 5 2023 and August 24 2023.
They also denied two counts of cruelty to a person under 16.
Johnson, wearing a shirt and with facial hair, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis.
The pair were granted unconditional bail ahead of a pre-trial hearing on April 5 2027.
A post-mortem examination showed Maero died in August 2023 of ketotic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition, Merseyside Police has said previously.