MYSTERY will always surround the tragedy of a seven-month-old baby from York who died despite his father’s attempts to save him.

Eli George Stephenson was found face down on his parents’ bed at their Acomb home, having already battled a number of health problems during his young life.

An inquest ruled the cause of his death could not be known for sure after hearing Eli had been born ten weeks prematurely in December, 2007, and was cared for at York Hospital’s special care baby unit, later suffering from an infection to part of his lung.

His mother, Leanne Smith, was in hospital at the time her son died, with Eli being looked after by his father, Gary Stephenson, and aunt, Janine Smith, on the night of June 28, 2008.

Mr Stephenson said Eli had seemed fine and fell asleep quickly the night before he died, but said he found him the following morning and was unable to resuscitate him.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Wright, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said: “There are a huge number of diseases and problems which can cause such deaths, but my conclusion was that there was no reason why Eli should die.”

Coroner Donald Coverdale recorded an open verdict.