Steve Bruce's baby grandson died after 'unsafe sleeping position'

The four-month-old grandson of football manager Steve Bruce died after he was placed in an "unsafe sleeping position" on his front by an unregulated maternity nurse, an inquest heard. Madison Bruce Smith was found unresponsive by his father, ex-Leeds United striker Matt Smith, at their home in Trafford in 2024. Smith and his wife, Bruce's daughter Amy, had employed Eva Clements via Ruthie Maternity Services believing she was skilled, trained and vetted and the firm was well established. Neither was regulated. In a narrative conclusion at Stockport Coroner's Court, the coroner said "his cause of death could not be ascertained" having been "placed in a prone and unsafe sleeping position". Senior coroner for south Manchester Alison Mutch issued a prevention of future deaths report to the Secretary of State for Health calling for regulation. The inquest heard Clements was employed after Madison had suffered difficulties sleeping in the afternoons. Ruth Asare, head of Ruthie Maternity Services, said she had no medical qualifications and had only a first aid certificate and a Level 2 diploma in post-natal care gained from from a three-day course and a six-month coursework project. Clemen

Mar 23, 2026 → Mar 23, 2026