Woman jailed for trying to murder toddler by giving her adult medication

A woman has been jailed for a minimum of six years after being found guilty of attempting to murder a toddler by repeatedly administering adult medication, according to a ruling at the High Court in Edinburgh. Laura Docherty, 35, previously of Glenrothes, was sentenced to a lifetime of restriction following her conviction. The judge ordered that she must serve at least six years in prison before being eligible for parole consideration. Docherty’s actions led to the child requiring resuscitation and being placed on a ventilator. During the trial, held in December at the High Court in Edinburgh, Docherty denied attempting to murder the child, but a jury unanimously found her guilty. The court heard that she administered antidepressants and painkillers not prescribed for the toddler over a period spanning from April 2021 to February 2023. This included incidents at an address in Edinburgh, at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, and other locations. The victim suffered multiple seizures and periods of unconsciousness due to the medication. She required emergency medical intervention, including resuscitation, admission to hospital, and extensive medical investigations and procedures. The court was told that on one occasion, Docherty came very close to killing the child, with a paramedic having to use all his skills to save her life while Docherty filmed the incident. During sentencing, Judge Michael O'Grady KC described the case as particularly egregious, stating that the word “wicked” might be an outdated term, but he felt it was necessary to describe the gravity of the offense. He noted that Docherty showed no remorse or insight into her actions and blamed others for her predicament. The judge emphasized that her motivation appeared to be driven by a desire for attention and drama. The court also heard that a psychological report on Docherty indicated she suffers from an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Despite this, defence counsel Simon Gilbride argued that a substantial fixed jail term followed by a period of community supervision would be sufficient to address her behavior. He acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the crime and stressed the need for Docherty to confront her actions to have any meaningful future. The judge stated that whether Docherty would ever be released would be determined by the Scottish Parole Board. He warned that she would likely remain incarcerated for a significant number of years. The court also learned that Docherty had posted content on social media platforms such as TikTok during the trial, further highlighting her apparent disregard for the seriousness of her actions. Following the sentencing, the focus shifts to the long-term implications for both the victim and the broader legal system. The case underscores the severity of crimes involving vulnerable individuals and highlights the importance of mental health considerations in judicial proceedings. As Docherty begins serving her sentence, the outcome of her potential release remains uncertain, pending decisions by the Parole Board.