When social workers found the child,
he had soft hair, deformities and rashes and, as the foster parent said, “he didn’t know his own name”.
Chester Crown Court heard how the mother hid the child in a drawer under the bed so that the girl’s siblings and her boyfriend, who often stayed at her house, would not find out about the child.
A social worker said in a statement when she saw the child sitting in the drawer and she asked the mother asked if that was where she was keeping the child, the woman replied “yes, in the drawer”.
The social worker said she was “horrified” that the mother, whose identity cannot be revealed to protect her children’s privacy, showed no emotion and “looked at her upset with the situation”.
Reading the sentence of the woman who admitted she was cruel to the child,
Judge Stephen Everett said her behavior “defies all belief”..
Her child was deprived of “any love, any affection, proper attention, any relationships with other people, normal nutrition, much-needed medical attention.”
Judge Everett said the experience had a “catastrophic” effect on the child “physically, mentally and socially”, adding that the girl suffered “almost a living death”.
The woman didn’t seek any medical help for her child’s cleft palate, she didn’t give her enough food and water and she fed through a syringe.
Prosecutor Sion ap Michael said when the child was first taken to the hospital he was found to be 10 months old in development and was severely malnourished and dehydrated.
The baby was left alone while his mother took her other children to school, went to work and stayed with relatives at Christmas, said Mr. Ap Michael. When the mother’s boyfriend started staying at home all night, the child was moved to another room and left there alone.
Judge Everett noted that
Mother’s ‘horrifying’ secret revealed ‘quite accidentally’,
when her partner returned to the house one morning to use the toilet after the mother had gone out and found the puppy. He shared his discovery with other family members and later that day social workers came and found the little girl in a drawer under the bed.
When questioned, the child’s mother told police she didn’t know she was pregnant and was “very scared” when she gave birth. She pleaded guilty in October to four counts of child cruelty, abandonment, malnutrition and general neglect.
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2024-11-27 07:31:00
#England #mother #child #drawer #years #criticized #World
**Given the mother’s claim of unawareness of her pregnancy and fear after giving birth, how effectively does the existing legal framework balance holding perpetrators accountable while also considering potential mental health factors that might contribute to such extreme neglect?**
## World Today News: Interview
**Topic:** Child Found in Drawer
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Emily Carter:** Child Psychologist specializing in trauma and neglect.
* **Amelia Stone:** Legal Analyst and Advocate for Children’s Rights.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing a deeply disturbing case from England where a mother was sentenced to 7.5 years imprisonment for keeping her infant daughter concealed in a drawer for nearly three years. Joining us to provide expertise on this complex issue are Dr. Emily Carter, a child psychologist specializing in trauma and neglect, and Amelia Stone, a legal analyst and advocate for children’s rights.
**Section 1: The Case and its Impact:**
* **Host:**Dr. Carter, this case has shocked many. Can you help us understand the psychological impact this prolonged confinement and neglect could have on a child’s development?
* **Dr. Carter:**
* **Host:** Amelia, from a legal standpoint, what factors likely contributed to the severity of the sentence in this case? How does the law address cases where children are deliberately hidden and neglected?
* **Amelia Stone:**
**Section 2: Understanding the Mother’s Actions:**
* **Host:** The mother claimed she was unaware of her pregnancy and “very scared” after giving birth. Dr. Carter, how common is denial in cases of child neglect, and what might have driven this mother’s actions?
* **Dr. Carter:**
* **Host:** Amelia, does the legal system adequately account for potential underlying mental health issues or circumstances that may contribute to such extreme cases of parental neglect?
* **Amelia Stone:**
**Section 3: Prevention and Support:**
* **Host:** This case raises important questions about how to prevent such tragedies. Dr. Carter, what signs of neglect should family members, neighbors, or teachers be aware of?
* **Dr. Carter:**
* **Host:** Amelia, what support systems are available for struggling parents, and how can communities better identify and assist families at risk of child neglect?
* **Amelia Stone:**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead:**
* **Host:** What lasting impact do you believe this case will have on public awareness and policy regarding child welfare?
* **Dr. Carter:**
* **Host:** How can we create a society that better protects vulnerable children and provides adequate support for families in crisis?
* **Amelia Stone:**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Dr. Carter and Ms. Stone, for shedding light on this deeply troubling case. We hope this discussion has fostered a greater understanding of the devastating consequences of child neglect and the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable children.
**Call to Action:**
We encourage viewers to learn more about child neglect and the resources available to help families in need. Visit [website of relevant child welfare organization] for information and support.
