Mercy's partner says son's survival was a 'miracle'

The partner of a woman who was found dead in her flat has said it is a “miracle” their young son survived.

Mercy Baguma, who was originally from Uganda and seeking asylum in the UK, died in Glasgow last month.

Her body was found in the hallway of her flat with her one-year-old son, Adriel, alone in his cot.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times, her partner Eric Nnanna, 30, said he called emergency services after hearing his son crying through the door.

Mr Nnanna said he last saw Ms Baguma on Tuesday, August 18, and became worried after not hearing from her.

After returning to the flat on the Saturday and receiving no response, police were called and forced entry.

“When they opened the door they said I shouldn’t come into the flat,” Mr Nnanna told the Glasgow Times. “They said they saw Mercy’s body lying in her hallway and Adriel was in his cot. He was found there by them.

“Adriel… when my mind takes me back there I cry. I don’t know how to express that.

“Because obviously, imagine that she died on the Tuesday night, so Adriel didn’t have food or water or anything from that Tuesday night until that Saturday morning when he was found, so…”

He said his son “couldn’t even recognise me” when he held him.

“It is a miracle he survived,” he added.

In a statement released through charity Positive Action in Housing, he also thanked those who have contributed more than £50,000 to fundraising appeals.

He said: “This money will be used firstly to pay for Mercy’s funeral costs. After this, it will be used to ensure Baby Adriel’s future welfare, hopefully and God willing here in Glasgow, Scotland.

“To this end, a trust fund is being set up with an established firm of solicitors here in Glasgow, for the benefit of Adriel.”

Ms Baguma’s death has sparked calls for reform of the asylum system in the UK.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “consumed with sadness” and anger at the death and said “wholesale reform” of the asylum system is needed, starting from “the principle of dignity, of empathy and of support for our fellow human beings”.

The Home Office said it will be investigating Ms Baguma’s case.