Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nine years for starving a baby to death

999 replies

PropertyFlipper · 06/08/2021 15:07

I’m struggling to see the justice here. This sorry specimen will be out in five years no doubt. Devastating.
Teen mother, 19, bursts into tears as she is jailed for nine years

OP posts:
SummerHouse · 06/08/2021 16:17

@Lockheart thank you for expressing everything that I couldn't find the words for.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 06/08/2021 16:18

@CandlesBlanketsandTea

It's almost unbelievable that this happened. I'm surprised none of her neighbours heard the baby crying. This is truly horrendous and it appears it wasn't the first time. God that poor baby.
The judge noted that medical advisors said it was unlikely she cried as much as one would expect because she had learned that nobody came. My heart broke reading that. Jesus Christ, that poor little baby. Unthinkably cruel.
ElephantOfRisk · 06/08/2021 16:18

I agree, what happened on those other occasions (that we know off) as the action that happened on those is key to what she thought might happen this time.

So, if someone stepped in and sorted the child out and then the mother got a slap on the wrist or a talking to on those occasions, it would be reasonable for her to assume that the same would happen and she was happy to take the talking to/slap on the wrist. It's always easier to apologise than ask for permission?

That would have a bearing on the vase, as horrific as it is.

dryasaboner · 06/08/2021 16:18

Sadly it's not uncommon. I have seen this a few times in my line of week. Some kids are immediately removed from parents care when this happens others get chance after chance after chance. I feel it's only a matter of time until this happens to a child in my LA despite all professionals working with the families protestations and escalations to the relevant people. It worries me sick. Less social workers and certainly less experienced social workers, over optimism and less money for the LAC system makes this a ticking time bomb

hudagee · 06/08/2021 16:18

This case is a prime example of how dangerous the underfunding of social and care services is. It's not just not helping vulnerable children it's endangering, and in this case costing them, their lives.

I agree

Soubriquet · 06/08/2021 16:21

RE the crying. I would say yes she learned crying didn’t do her any good and maybe she didn’t cry for the first, or even the second day. But by the 3rd and 4th? She must have started making some form of noise

The 5th I would have said she would be too weak Sad

Poor little lamb

JustLyra · 06/08/2021 16:23

@hudagee

Do you think she thought it would be ok? I'm incredibly confused at the thought process
I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out when she'd done it before other people picked up responsibility. For whatever reason it didn't happen that time and the poor child suffered in the worst way.

She was warned about leaving her before for "long and short periods of time" so it was known about.

If it's the right case I'm sure she asked someone to babysit, but they couldn't. I know when I was a child my parents would ask my GP's to babysit and if they said no they'd just leave us, which meant my GP's inevitably stepped in. I wouldn't be surprised if it was similar and she was expecting staff/a relative/someone to just pick up responsibility.

Lagomtransplant · 06/08/2021 16:24

Is it horrible that I feel absolutely furious and heartbroken that wretches like these have kids, while I'm in the 7th year of a spectacularly unsuccessful TTC, with everything to offer a baby?

CovidCorvid · 06/08/2021 16:24

It’s awful…she must have realised the baby would die?

dryasaboner · 06/08/2021 16:25

It sounds absolutely awful but it's possible this is the outcome mum wanted. She may have just been so overwhelmed and had no bond with child for various reasons and had no idea what to do and where to turn for help.

ExpressDelivery · 06/08/2021 16:26

Obviously the child was never going to be safe, but even I am surprised she starved to death in 6 days. I thought it took much longer than that.

Streamside · 06/08/2021 16:27

I know her parents have documented their struggle but it was her 18th birthday and it's hard to imagine they believed that the baby was away clubbing with her mother. The harsh reality was that the mother was incapable and no-one else stepped up. Perhaps a culture which accepts that an 18yr old with a baby needs support and supervision would serve us all better.
It's been a heartbreaking week with all these terrible stories.

leli · 06/08/2021 16:28

Lagomtransplant - no it isn't horrible you think like that. If you had been looking after this poor little mite I'm sure she would have thrived and been loved. I think like this too and I'm a granny.

Problem is - criminal justice isn't justice.

It was one abused kid visiting neglect and suffering on her offspring. This is where the welfare services have to step in but it's a very tough call for them and one for which they get slated regularly.

RIP poor tragic baby.

JustLyra · 06/08/2021 16:28

@ExpressDelivery

Obviously the child was never going to be safe, but even I am surprised she starved to death in 6 days. I thought it took much longer than that.
Not without drinking.
Lockheart · 06/08/2021 16:28

@Lagomtransplant

Is it horrible that I feel absolutely furious and heartbroken that wretches like these have kids, while I'm in the 7th year of a spectacularly unsuccessful TTC, with everything to offer a baby?
This "wretch" was made pregnant by her rapist (in all odds) - or one of them - at 15.

I don't think you have much to be jealous of.

RevolvingPivot · 06/08/2021 16:28

Is this the case where the mum left the baby for 2 nights to celebrate her birthday?

ToykotoLosAngeles · 06/08/2021 16:29

This is beyond belief. I wonder what she told her "boyfriend" and "friends" about where she'd left her daughter.

I genuinely cannot fathom being on day 3 or 4, knowing I'd left no food or water, and not giving a shit.

Soubriquet · 06/08/2021 16:29

@CovidCorvid

It’s awful…she must have realised the baby would die?
It’s what I can’t get

She either

A) knew the baby would die, in which case she’s a callous murderer

B) assumed baby would be alright, in which case I would looking at her mental capacity

C) assumed someone else would pick up the slack

Soubriquet · 06/08/2021 16:30

@RevolvingPivot

Is this the case where the mum left the baby for 2 nights to celebrate her birthday?
2?

6 days

ancientgran · 06/08/2021 16:30

@hehehhehe

No one - mother or father - need be involved with a child theyve created if they dont want to

I disagree. Men shouldn't get to choose no involvement if their child is with the mother. If this child's father had stepped forward and taken responsibility this single mother might have managed better and a tragedy averted.

It would have been much better for the child if the mother hadn't taken responsibility. Taking responsibility when you don't actually intend to take care of a child isn't a good thing.
Beforeim40 · 06/08/2021 16:30

Another shocking utterly shocking case. My heart is aching, all these stories of innocent little ones losing their lives. This country has gone feral.

RevolvingPivot · 06/08/2021 16:31

I think it's a different one then

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 06/08/2021 16:31

@CandlesBlanketsandTea

It's almost unbelievable that this happened. I'm surprised none of her neighbours heard the baby crying. This is truly horrendous and it appears it wasn't the first time. God that poor baby.
Or the support staff. I did wonder if the baby was already dead when she left.
Flaunch · 06/08/2021 16:33

If someone has left a baby 11 times before I’t isn’t a crystal ball that will tell you’ve they’ll do it again, is it but experience.

That baby was massively let down by social services who’s inaction allowed her mother to starve her to death.

ancientgran · 06/08/2021 16:35

@Immaback

It’s a truly shocking and horrifying case. You would have to think she must not have the mental capacity of an adult. What did she think she was going to come back to? I suspect she was very seriously abused herself.
She might not have intended to be away for six days. Goes on a night out, drinks or has drugs or both and responsibility goes out the window.
Swipe left for the next trending thread