A CORONATION Street resident has been rushed to hospital – while a heated custody battle began on the cobbles.
Viewers have seen Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) go through a tumultuous year on the ITV soap.
Today’s (December 13) episode continued her drama, with baby son Frankie taken to hospital.
Lauren’s boyfriend Max Turner (Paddy Bever) has been taking care of Frankie – as she is in prison for Joel Deering’s (Calum Lill) murder.
With Lauren’s blessing, Max arranged for Joel’s parents Gus (Chris Garner) and Anthea (Carol Royle) to have a supervised visit.
Unbeknown to him, the Deerings were secretly plotting with a solicitor to obtain custody of Frankie.
When Max returned after leaving the room, he was horrified to discover the Deerings had taken Frankie.
The couple later texted, revealing they brought their grandson to Joel’s memorial.
Upon their return, the situation became even more heated than before.
As Max fumed over Gus and Anthea’s actions, he vowed to bring Frankie back to Lauren.
But he was stunned when they told him that would not be possible.
The pair filed a report over bruising found on Frankie’s body – and told Max they were applying for custody.
Meanwhile, Lauren was clueless as to how Frankie was bruised and firmly denied she was responsible.
Max had another confrontation with Gus and Anthea once they were all at the hospital.
Held back by a member of staff, he yelled: “They took him, they kidnapped him so that they could hurt him.
So that they could blame my girlfriend!”
Anthea shot back: “We’re glad we took him or we would have never found out what Lauren has done!”
While Max defended Lauren, Anthea delivered a final blow.
She said: “You should look worried.
“You’re going back to prison, just like Lauren. So neither of you can get anywhere near our grandchild.”
In the meantime, a doctor confirmed to Lauren they didn’t think she – or anyone – had hurt the baby.
Although the bruises were not “caused by any external trauma”, Frankie needed to stay in the hospital for tests.
What is happening to Frankie – and will he be okay?
