Parents Emmanuel Turner and Shandies Rose have been sentenced after their eight-month-old son, Devaun Rose-Turner, died in December 2021. Turner was convicted of murder and given 22 years; Rose was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years. The court heard Devaun suffered more than 80 injuries over eight weeks and that both parents concealed his pain, denying him medical help. Bedfordshire Police described the investigation as complex and said officers worked tirelessly to secure justice.
Parents Sentenced After Death Of Eight-Month-Old Devaun Rose-Turner — Father Jailed 22 Years, Mother 12 Years
Devaun Rose-Turner was killed in December 2021 [Bedfordshire Police]
A former nursery worker and her partner have been sentenced after a court found they were responsible for the death of their eight-month-old son, Devaun Rose-Turner, in December 2021. The case, described by police as complex and deeply challenging, revealed the child suffered a sustained pattern of injuries in the weeks before his death.
Court Verdicts And Sentences
At Luton Crown Court, 33-year-old Emmanuel Turner was convicted of murder and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Devaun’s mother, 29-year-old Shandies Rose, was convicted of manslaughter and received a 12-year sentence. Both were also found guilty of causing or allowing a child to suffer significant harm.
"You both knew about his pain. Both of you decided to keep it hidden so he received no medical help," said Justice Farbey when delivering the sentences.
What The Court Heard
The court heard that Devaun suffered more than 80 separate injuries over the eight weeks leading up to his death. Emergency services were called after Turner reported that his son was not breathing; Devaun was taken to hospital and later died in December 2021.
Emmanuel Turner and Shandies Rose lived with their baby son Devaun in Biggleswade [Bedfordshire Police]
Investigation And Arrests
Bedfordshire Police described the investigation as "complex and deeply challenging." Detective Inspector Lee Martin, who led the inquiry, said the team worked tirelessly to establish what happened and to secure justice for Devaun.
"From the outset, our focus was on establishing exactly what happened to Devaun and securing justice for him," Det Insp Lee Martin said. "Nothing can undo what happened to him, but today's sentence reflects the persistence of our officers in ensuring that those who should have cared and protected for him have been held accountable."
The couple were initially arrested on suspicion of murder in 2022 and released under investigation while detectives gathered evidence. Officers later discovered the pair had travelled to Nigeria during the inquiry. They were arrested at an airport and charged when they returned to the UK.
Aftermath
The convictions and sentences follow a detailed criminal investigation and a trial that examined the pattern of injuries and the failure to obtain medical care. Bedfordshire Police said their thoughts remain with Devaun and his family as they responded to the court’s outcome.
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