Heartbroken mum 'may never return' to home where baby was mauled to death by pet dog

The devastated mother of a 12-day-old baby boy mauled to death by the family pet dog in Doncaster has said she may never return to the family home where her son died.
By Lloyd Bent
Published 18th Sep 2020, 07:11 BST
Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.
Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.

Abigail Ellis, of Welfare Road, Doncaster, told a friend that she could not face returning to house where her baby son Elon was attacked and where her long-term partner died previously.

Abigail and fiancé Stephen Joynes were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and have been bailed as police continue to probe the baby’s tragic death.

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Elon is believed to have been killed by the family's Chow Chow-cross Teddy on Sunday after it escaped a pen in the garden where it was being kept.

Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.
Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.

Neighbours have rallied around the grief-stricken mum, who said her world has "fallen apart" after the third tragedy that has beset her in her family home of more than 20 years.

Abigail told neighbour Linda Siddle: “I can’t get over this. I can’t get over this.

"I might never go back to that house."

In a heartbreaking phone call, Abigail told Linda, 58, that she had been struggling with anxiety following the deaths of her dad and her long-term partner Joel Smart.

A woman places flowers at the home on Welfare Road in Doncaster where a 12 week old baby was killed by a dog. September 16, 2020.A woman places flowers at the home on Welfare Road in Doncaster where a 12 week old baby was killed by a dog. September 16, 2020.
A woman places flowers at the home on Welfare Road in Doncaster where a 12 week old baby was killed by a dog. September 16, 2020.
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Joel, father of three of Abigail's children, died last year following heart problems and is believed to have contracted sepsis.

Linda said that Abigail had rushed into the street screaming "I will never forgive myself" in the moments after the horror attack.

Breaking down in tears, Linda, said she will spend her life “trying to forget” what she saw in the house as she tried to console Abigail.

The mum-of-one from Doncaster, said: “I was just trying to console her, what can you even do in a situation like that.

Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.
Flowers outside the house in which a 12 day old baby was mauled to death by a dog near Doncaster, South York., September 17 2020.
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“She was hysterical, crying and screaming, I’ve never seen her like that before.

“Her world has just fallen apart and I just hope she can get the support she needs to get through this.

“But what she’s suffered through, what she’s experienced, no one should ever have to.

“I went into the house and I will spend my life trying to forget what I saw.”

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Linda, who has lived next door for 40 years and watched Abigail grow up, said she hoped Abigail would return.

She added: “She needs our help and our support because what she’s going through right now is unimaginable.

“I hope she comes back because we all love her here. This is her home, we are her family.

“But she won’t come back for a while, how could anyone?”

Abigail suddenly lost her father, who she ‘worshipped’, in 2013 and then her childhood sweetheart Joel Smart tragically died in 2018.

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Linda said that Abigail was vulnerable and left to take care of her three children on her own, but was a “brilliant, caring, and loving” mother who “gave absolutely everything” for them.

She added: “Abigail is a brilliant, caring, and loving mother.

“She gave everything she ever had for her kids despite everything she’d gone through.

“Losing three people she loved with all of her heart - it’s not something anyone should ever have to go through.

“When her dad died it completely devastated her.

“And then Joel was alive one day, and then dead the next.

“I can’t believe all she’s had to fight in her young life.”

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Linda said Abigail was excited to start a new chapter with her partner Stephen Joynes, who she described as being “fantastic” with the kids.

She said that Abigail was over the moon when she found out she was pregnant and was beaming with excitement when little Elon was born.

Linda said: “She was so excited about this baby. She was so excited. I can’t believe this, still.

“It was a new chapter in her life, after everything she’d been through, she was so excited to start something so beautiful with Stephen.

“And it ended in 12 days in complete tragedy.

“You don’t expect a parent to bury their own child, never.

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“They’re a family that just want to be happy - and she deserves that, she really does.”

Linda said Abigail’s three children are now staying with her mum, and that they are fine “but suffering”.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "The dog was removed from the address on Sunday and will remain in secure kennels until enquiries have been completed."

Floral tributes remain at the gates of the property and the curtains are drawn.