Brownhills pram death suspect remanded by court charged with killing two-week-old baby
James Paul Davis from Walsall faces four charges including causing death by dangerous driving after Ciaran Leigh Morris was struck in his pram by a car on Easter Sunday.
A man has appeared in court accused of causing the death of a two-week-old boy by dangerous driving, after the baby’s pram was hit by a car on Easter Sunday.
Ciaran Leigh Morris was being pushed along the pavement by family in High Street, Brownhills, Walsall, at about 4pm when the collision happened.
James Paul Davis, 34, is also facing allegations of causing death by driving while uninsured, failing to stop at the scene of a crash and failing to report a collision.
Davis, of Croxtalls Avenue, Walsall, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being charged and remanded overnight, speaking only to confirm his name and date of birth.
He was flanked by two dock officers and was wearing a grey T-shirt and jogging bottoms, keeping his arms folded for much of the 20-minute hearing.
District Judge David Murray remanded Davis in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on May 4.
A white BMW hit a Ford B-Max before striking the two-week-old's pram, pinning it up against a wall.
Little Ciaran was later pronounced dead in hospital.
In a heartbreaking statement, parents Camaron Morris and Codie Holyman said: “Mommy’s and Daddy’s hearts will always ache, we love you more than anything.
"We didn’t get to keep you for long but we are happy we had the chance to meet you, look after you and call you our son.
"Fly high angel."
Members of the public have been leaving flowers, messages, toys and teddy bears at the scene of the crash, while a JustGiving page has raised more than £15,000 for Ciaran's family since it was set up on Monday.
Kirsty Elkin, 30, from Brownhills, was one of those to lay flowers.
"I think it is awful what has happened," she said. "I walk down (the road) loads with my dogs. I felt compelled to place flowers here.
"I don't know the people but I have got a seven-year-old and a four-year-old. It is heartbreaking.
"My thoughts are with the family. I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through."
A message written on one bunch of flowers read: "If only, little one, we could send a basket filled with love, and pretty blue forget-me not's to your new home above.
"If only we could send a hug past every twinkling star, and a suitcase filled with kisses up to heaven where you are.
"If only you could be rocked as you were not long ago and sung one more lullaby before you had to go.
"If only's fill peoples every thoughts as their hearts are aching for you.
"With faith, they'll wait until the time "if only's" all come true.
"Rest easy little one - sending love to your mummy and daddy."
Sergeant Mark Crozier, from West Midlands Police's serious collision investigation unit said everyone has been "left numb" by the death of the two-week-old baby.
"To see the loss of someone so young is difficult for us as officers, but we know the pain is even greater for Ciaran’s family," he said.
