West Midlands man kills 6-month-old son by bashing his head

A Walsall, West Midlands, resident who brutally killed his six-month-old son has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

David Hollick, a 29-year-old resident of Walsall, West Midlands, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the brutal killing of his six-month-old son, Kairo Hollick.

On the morning of February 9, 2020, Kairo was found in critical condition with severe injuries that were classified as "non-survivable brain injury." Three days later, the baby, who was discovered to be "floppy and not breathing," passed away at Birmingham Children's Hospital from his wounds.

Justice Dove KC highlighted the gravity of the case during the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, saying, "These injuries were inflicted by a very serious assault on Kairo which involved the use of considerable force, inflicting injuries from which he had no chance of recovery." 

Hollick was the only person present during the incident. The jury dismissed his initial assertion that he fell while holding Kairo.

Chief Inspector Laura Harrison from West Midlands Police's homicide unit highlighted the gravity of the case, saying, "The death of a child is unimaginable to comprehend, especially a defenseless six-month-old who should be in the safest hands possible with his parent."

The court revealed that Kairo was the second child of Hollick and Adina Johnson, who had separated shortly after Kairo's birth. 

The relationship, though civil, did not reconcile, leading to the care of the two boys being split between the parents. Although there had been reservations regarding Hollick's capacity to provide care, nothing had been done about it until the awful events took place.

As the court heard the devastating details of Kairo's injuries, his mother, Adina Johnson, said, "It has been four years since this nightmare began. I last held my son when he died in my arms." 

Johnson expressed the profound impact on her life, struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and isolation, mourning the loss of a child who was the "light" of her life.