A Scottish mother has been found guilty of culpable homicide after her three-month-old daughter died from injuries caused by prolonged exposure to heat from a hairdryer, bringing a deeply distressing case to a close.
Courtney Gartshore, 28, was convicted at the High Court in Aberdeen on Thursday over the death of her baby daughter, Dahlia-Rose, who died in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in September 2023. The court heard that the infant suffered severe injuries after being subjected to significant and sustained heat while she was in her mother's sole care.
The verdict follows a lengthy police investigation that began shortly after emergency services were called to the family home. Gartshore is due to be sentenced on 14 August.
Mother Convicted of Culpable Homicide
During the trial, Gartshore denied the charge of culpable homicide. However, the jury found her guilty of culpably and recklessly causing Dahlia-Rose to be exposed to sustained heat from a hairdryer on her head and body.
According to the charge, the injuries inflicted on the three-month-old were so severe that they ultimately led to her death.
The case centred on events that took place while Dahlia-Rose was in her mother's sole care. Prosecutors argued that the prolonged exposure to heat resulted in fatal injuries, and the jury accepted the evidence presented during the trial.
The conviction marks the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, although the court will determine Gartshore's sentence at a hearing scheduled for next month.
Police Investigation Led to Conviction
Police Scotland launched an investigation after officers were alerted by the Scottish Ambulance Service to the baby's death on 30 September 2023.
Following enquiries, Gartshore was arrested and charged in November 2023. Detectives spent months gathering evidence before the case proceeded to trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.
A 28-year-old woman has been convicted of the culpable homicide of her three-month old daughter.
— Police Scotland North East (@PSOSNorthEast) July 16, 2026
Courtney Gartshore was found guilty killing Dahlia-Rose following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen. https://t.co/Oq5AkdefEf pic.twitter.com/F6mqmsRAQ6
Detective Inspector James Callander, who led the investigation, described the circumstances surrounding Dahlia-Rose's death as particularly upsetting.
'Children are defenceless and should be protected,' he said following the verdict.
He added that while the death of any child is heartbreaking, a child's death at the hands of a parent is 'incredibly disturbing'.
Detective Pays Tribute to Investigation Team
Speaking after the conviction, Detective Inspector Callander acknowledged the emotional impact the case had on everyone involved.
'Everyone involved in this investigation was deeply affected by the circumstances of Dahlia-Rose's death, but our job is to uncover the truth and ensure that the person responsible is brought to justice,' he said.
He also thanked members of the public who assisted officers throughout the investigation.
'I would like to express sincere thanks to everyone who supported what was an incredibly difficult and sensitive enquiry,' he said.
The detective praised the patience and cooperation of the local community in Peterhead, noting that information provided by witnesses proved invaluable in helping investigators establish the facts of the case.
Sentencing Scheduled for August
Although Gartshore has now been convicted, the legal process is not yet complete.
She is expected to return to court on 14 August, when a judge will determine the appropriate sentence for the offence.
Under Scots law, culpable homicide applies in cases where a person unlawfully causes another's death but the circumstances do not amount to murder. Sentencing decisions are made by the court after considering all of the evidence, legal submissions and relevant aggravating or mitigating factors.
No further details regarding sentencing have yet been announced.
A Case That Shocked the Community
The death of baby Dahlia-Rose has deeply affected the local community and those involved in the investigation. Cases involving the deaths of very young children inevitably attract significant public attention, particularly when they involve allegations against a parent or primary carer.
Throughout the investigation and trial, authorities remained focused on establishing exactly what had happened and presenting the evidence before the court.
With the guilty verdict now returned, the case enters its final stage ahead of sentencing. For investigators, the outcome represents the conclusion of a painstaking enquiry, while for the wider community it brings a measure of legal accountability in an exceptionally tragic case.
As sentencing approaches, the focus will now turn to the High Court in Aberdeen, where Gartshore will learn the punishment she faces following her conviction over the death of her infant daughter.
