Baby drowns as mum checks Facebook

The mum of a British baby who drowned in the bath is being probed by Israeli police over allegations she left the child unattended while she went on Facebook.

Kayla Lynton, 23, was arrested in Tel Aviv by police investigating neglect claims over the death of six-month-old Naomi in July.

It is believed she initially said she had left the baby to go to the toilet.

But prosecutors are now investigating allegations that Kayla – married to British recruitment worker Ilan Lynton – may have been on the social media site when the tragedy happened.

By the time the mum called ­emergency workers, little Naomi could not be saved.

Naomi’s father last night confirmed his wife’s mobile has been seized by police as part of their investigation.

A source said: “Kayla is currently waiting for a court date. She’s on a surety bond which means she must appear in court and at a police station when she’s required.

“Police are looking at whether she was on social media when she should have been caring for her daughter. She’s obviously devastated and now she’s having to deal with a potential criminal case as well.”

The grieving mum’s lawyer, Ofer Bartal, added: “Kayla does not know what to do with herself. After she saw Naomi was unconscious she tried to resuscitate her and she called the emergency workers and police.

“We are now waiting for the police to decide if they will indict her and for what.”

Ilan – whose mother was born in Israel – moved to Tel Aviv from his home in Shoreditch, East London, more than five years ago.

He and Kayla, who previously ran a child care business, married shortly after meeting in 2015 and had their first child Elizabeth, now two, less than 12 months later.

Ilan was at work when he received a frantic phone call from Kayla shortly after 3pm. She reportedly discovered Naomi had slipped below the water and was unconscious.

The baby was taken to the Ichilov Hospital where she died after a week in a coma. Her kidneys were donated to another girl.

Kayla was quizzed by officers from Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff police station who are now investigating claims of neglect.

They are said to be looking at a 10-minute window leading up to Naomi’s drowning during which Kayla is alleged to have accessed Facebook and Instagram.

The conditions of a 2,000-shekel (£420) surety bond reveals police are investigating several possible charges: “Causing severe injury to the helpless; neglect of a minor or a person unable to provide for own needs; injury through negligence; and negligent supervision of a child”.

Legal experts in Israel say the most severe potential offence if Kayla is indicted carries a possible nine-year sentence.

Her lawyer Mr Bartal told us: “Police are investigating many directions. I don’t know what they really think. They are asking many questions about many things but we don’t yet know what their findings are.

“It takes time between and ­investigation and the indictment.

“Kayla was interrogated on the day it happened but released the same day.

“She didn’t even spend one night in custody. Now she has been questioned one more time.”

Ilan and Kayla are understood to have separated since Naomi’s death.

Our source added: “Ilan is devastated. His whole life has been completely torn apart and he has struggled to come to terms with what happened.

“He finds comfort in looking after his daughter, Elizabeth, but he’s obviously heartbroken.

“How can you possibly deal with the loss of your little girl?”