A BOY of two died after his brain was starved of oxygen, an inquest at Broadstairs was told.

Samuel Hales was in foster care and being looked after by Andrew Francis and his partner at their home in Kings Avenue, Minnis Bay, Birchington.

Mr Francis told the coroner, Rebecca Cobb, that Samuel had severe physical problems and had to be fed through a tube directly into his stomach. He was also waiting for another operation which would have prevented him regurgitating his food.

Mr Francis said Samuel had epilepsy but was slowly being weaned off his drugs as he had not had a fit for a long time.

Mr Francis said Samuel was put to bed on June 13, 2002, and everything seemed fine. But he was found dead the next morning.

Pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat carried out a post mortem and found that there were not obvious recent injuries. He said Samuel died of lack of oxygen to his brain, possibly caused by an epileptic fit.

The coroner recorded an open verdict.