Doctors said the child was dry, with no water in his lungs, despite Varley saying he had left him in the bath; one medic described Varley as hysterical and unusually dramatic.
Prosecutors allege Preston suffered routine abuse, sexual assaults and 40 injuries during four months in the couple's care. Varley and co-accused John McGowan-Fazakerley deny all charges, and the trial continues.
A happy video was taken just hours before his death. What truly happened to baby Preston in his final moments?
A child protection expert is on trial for murder. How did the system fail to spot the danger inside the home?
The trial of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley for the death and abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey is temporarily paused after the original jury was discharged in April 2026, with a new jury set for selection in May. Preston was placed in the defendants' care in April 2023 following a remote adoption assessment impacted by COVID-19. Between April and July 2023, Preston suffered over 40 injuries and was hospitalized three times before dying from smothering or forced obstruction. Despite visible signs of abuse, social workers and hospital staff failed to escalate concerns, contributing to public outrage and urgent calls for reforms in child protection and adoption monitoring.