Parents jailed over death of 8-month-old son after fleeing UK during murder investigation
Father sentenced to life for murder as mother receives 12 years for manslaughter after baby suffered more than 80 injuries in weeks before his death
A couple who left the UK while under investigation for the death of their eight-month-old son have been jailed for their roles in the child's death.
Emmanuel Turner, 34, was sentenced on Wednesday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years after being convicted of the murder of his son, Devaun Rose-Turner. Devaun’s mother, Shandies Rose, 29, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The court heard that Devaun suffered more than 80 separate injuries during the eight weeks leading up to his death in December 2021.
Emergency services were called to the family’s home shortly after 7am on 11 December 2021 after Turner reported that the baby was not breathing. Devaun was taken to hospital but died later that morning.
A murder investigation was launched by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit in January 2022 after medical examinations revealed serious injuries that raised significant concerns.
Detectives worked alongside medical and forensic experts to establish the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death. Evidence presented during the trial showed a pattern of repeated physical abuse, with investigators determining that Devaun had been in the sole care of his parents throughout the period in which the injuries were sustained.
Turner and Rose were arrested on suspicion of murder in 2022 but were released under investigation while detectives continued to build their case.
In August 2022, officers discovered that the pair had travelled to Nigeria despite the ongoing investigation. They remained abroad until returning to the UK on 10 May 2025, when they were arrested by officers waiting at the airport. Both were subsequently charged and remanded into custody.
In addition to their convictions for murder and manslaughter, Turner and Rose were also found guilty of causing or allowing a child to suffer significant harm. They received sentences of eight years and seven years respectively for those offences, to run concurrently with their other prison terms.
Sentencing the pair, Mrs Justice Farbey KC said: “Both of you knew about his pain. Both of you decided to keep it hidden so he received no medical help.”
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, who led the investigation, described the case as “a complex and deeply challenging investigation into the sustained abuse and tragic death of a baby behind closed doors”.
“From the outset, our focus was on establishing exactly what happened to Devaun and securing justice for him, with our team working tirelessly to ensure he was given a voice,” he said.
“Nothing can undo what happened to him, but today’s sentence reflects the persistence of our officers in ensuring that those who should have cared for and protected him have been held accountable for the abuse he suffered.
“Our thoughts will always remain with Devaun – sleep well, little man.”