A funeral director accused of leaving a deceased child in a baby bouncer “watching cartoons” insists she has “given families everything” throughout their bereavement journey. A BBC probe alleged Amie Upton, 38, left a mother “screaming” and “terrified” after witnessing her dead child positioned in a baby bouncer.

It subsequently emerged she has been barred from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries across Leeds. However, Ms Upton operates Florrie’s Army, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting others who have lost “angel babies” with complimentary handprints, photographs, baby clothing and burial or cremation services.

Two clients this week stepped forward with grievances about her practice, allegations Ms Upton has dismissed as “ridiculous”, reports the Mirror. Her own infant, Florrie-Mae, was stillborn at 29 weeks following an assault by Ms Upton’s partner. Speaking from her residence in Harehills, Leeds, Ms Upton maintained she has assisted numerous bereaved families and the controversy is unjustified. She declared: “I have provided so many families with love and care. I’ve given them everything, literally everything, and it’s only these two who have complained.”

The resolute mother today informed the Daily Mail: “I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but these tiny babies need a lot of extra care and love.” Ms Upton’s latest defence follows Zoe Ward and Cody Townend coming forward with accusations, dating back to 2021. Defending herself against criticism, Ms Upton revealed she brings the bodies of deceased children home to “rest” in her lounge, where she converses, sings and reads to them.

Speaking to the Mirror earlier this week, she had said: “I just wanted to help them. I’ve had the police in my home several times and the fraud squad going through bank accounts and books. I’ve had the CID do welfare checks and investigations and have found no wrongdoing.

“When I lost Florence, I nearly died. I was in a coma after I lost her because I started bleeding from everywhere. He made a mess of us,” she said. “He pushed the waters. She didn’t pass away straight away, which we were expecting her to. She lived in a womb for 12 weeks. But I nearly bled to death on the operating table, so I was in a coma.”

Battling back tears, the mum recounted how Florrie’s father Shaun Birchall, 28, was imprisoned for two years after admitting grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Amie has maintained she was certain the assault caused Florrie’s death as well. She explains it took four years for her attacker to receive his sentence due to Covid and the legal process, prompting her to begin transforming wedding gowns into funeral gowns “and it healed” her, something which resulted in establishing Florrie’s Army.

West Yorkshire Police confirms it has examined two complaints regarding her funeral service since 2021, but states no potential crimes have been identified.