Maggots on body of obese girl at least 48 hours old, neglect death trial told

Maggots feeding on the body of a teenager from Newtown were at least 48 hours old when examined, an expert has told the trial of a man accused of neglecting his daughter.

Disabled 16-year-old Kaylea Titford died at her home in Newtown, in October 2020, when she was found by paramedics lying in soiled clothing and bed linen, Mold Crown Court has heard.

Her father, Alun Titford, 45, denies manslaughter by gross negligence but the jury in his trial has heard that Kaylea’s mother, Sarah Lloyd-Jones, 39, has pleaded guilty to the offence.

On Tuesday, forensic entomologist Amoret Whitaker said the conditions in the teenager’s bedroom were “optimal” for a colonisation of houseflies.

The court heard that Dr Whitaker looked at photos of the room and of Kaylea’s body from a post-mortem examination as well as examining some of the maggots, or larvae, which were found on Kaylea’s body, on soiled bedsheets and on absorbent pads placed around her.

Dr Whitaker said:

“The fact they were so closely associated with the body and were shown inside folds of skin makes me believe they were feeding on the body itself.

“They are attracted to wounds, for instance, such as bed ulcers.”

Titford sat with his head down in the dock as the expert gave her evidence over video-link.