Mum cleared of baby's 'hot car' manslaughter

A Victorian mother whose baby died after being left in a hot car has been cleared of her manslaughter.

Five-month-old Bella Poole died from heatstroke when locked in the car after her mother, Jayde Poole, forgot her after a family trip to a Bendigo takeaway shop.

Prosecutor Nicholas Papas QC told Poole's trial that her forgetfulness on December 11, 2012, amounted to gross negligence and she was therefore guilty of manslaughter.

Poole, 29, pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

Her defence barrister Shane Gardner said she was not a child killer but a well-intentioned mother who had made a mistake.

The Victorian Supreme Court jury took less than a day to find her not guilty of manslaughter today.