Anyone been following the Jordan Burling death case *warning, distressing*

[SealSong]

Has anyone been following this baffling and tragic case?
Mother and Grandmother have been convicted of manslaughter today.
Jordan aged 18 died at home, emaciated and with bed sores, having had no medical treatment.

Details of the court case in here - warning contains very distressing details.

I am struggling to understand how this could have happened. How the mother and grandmother could have failed to get medical attention, and also how Jordan just gave up and wasted away, when there were no apparent special needs, mental illness or specific health problems (as far as is known). Although surely he must have had some kind of undiagnosed mental illness or something.

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a thread on Mumsnet about this case, it has been in national news, but not very high priority I suppose.

One of the strangest and saddest cases I have ever heard of.

I was following it but then I had to stop because it was too upsetting. Then today I looked at a picture in the papers and wish I hadn’t. Im the mum of an extremely vulnerable young man and I can’t express how I feel. Sad beyond belief goes some way to covering it.

photograph published, something about his appearance is very reminiscent of other children I know with ASD).
I wondered if his diet was v restricted because of that, and it had developed into an ED.
But the nappies? When I read that, I then assumed profound autism with LDs too.

My thoughts went in that direction also because of my son. But my son is not in nappies and I assumed the young lad was because he was too weak to get to the bathroom.

Petrolpump please tell whoever is responsible for home educated children in your LA. If they are unable to gain access to see the child tell children's services. You can do both of these things anonymously.

The lack of compassion or concern from his mother and grandmother when the medical professionals were there mean I don't feel sorry for any of them. I think the paltry sentences they received for what happened are a joke. Poor poor boy. What a sad life.

People with low IQ can also have low emotional intelligence and responses.

I can't bring myself to read the links on here but that poor poor boy was so badly let down by everyone around him. One thing that does stick in my mind is why did they (his DM, DG, Dsis), have the sense to get nappies for him but then not have the sense to call for help? I know there are low IQ, disassociated disorders being reported but it seems odd that they have the foresight to do certain things and not others.

falang, thanks for that information

I think the mother worked in a pound shop or similar so presumably worked tills and was able to function. Inadequate family definitely but I don’t think low IQ is responsible for this horror. I believe they were unable to cope but then there was the dead baby hidden for years. I think it was a house of horrors with people who were sufficiently aware that they could pull the wool over the authorities and social services.

I do wonder why the sister was raised and fine, and if the baby who's remains were found is also male.
Seems bizarre that it's all women and can't help but wonder if it has something to do with him being male and a power thing if the grandfather was abusive (all my own speculation of course)

When I read about that, I suspected ASD. The hardly reacting, the lack of emotion, and the oddly fact-based-and-emotionless comment when the mother did speak ("How much will a funeral cost?"). Learning disability in itself doesn't explain it. Both my MIL and my FIL are almost certainly on the spectrum (not diagnosed) and this is the kind of response I've come to expect over the years. When my very vulnerable autistic and learning-disabled son went missing briefly and we had to call the police, my MIL was anxious not about him being missing and possibly in danger but because she had to stop doing her crossword for a while! The psychiatrist in court spoke of depersonalisation due to trauma as an explanation and I suspect it's that too (I don't know much about depersonalisation): it's concerning that a psychiatrist doesn't seem aware of ASD but our own dealings with mental health services have shown us that's not unusual, they don't seem to be taught about it. . . All told, it's difficult to sympathize with people who come over as cold and unfeeling.

I agree with you. The dad clearly had that horrific photo on his mobile phone, taken only a month before Jordan died: I'm puzzled why he wasn't also charged. He knew the condition the young man was in and he did nothing. And now he is saying very publically that HE feels let down by "those who should have been caring for my son." ??!!!

The mother took him out of mainstream schooling when he was 12 and told the local authority that she would be homeschooling him. Perfectly legally. And it seems there was no follow-up. Bizarrely, and inexcusably, a parent can do this and unless the parent him/herself actually REQUESTS extra assistance re homeschooling, none is offered. Yet there had been social service involvement earlier on, when he was at primary school, because he had black teeth and was showing other signs of neglect and also LD. Where were social services? Underfunded and overstretched, probably. (An explanation, not an excuse.) The law really does have to be tightened re home-schooling.

I also think ASD most probably was a factor in all members of the family. I wonder if Jordan had developed an eating disorder and refused food? I also think it is odd that he appeared to say he had injured his leg and wouldn’t walk again. Such a sad case and I think this family needed a lot of support. It makes you wonder how many families are off the radar so to speak. The fact that they were tormented by local youths makes me think that they stood out in their community as odd.

Also, where the hell was the father years ago when his wife was giving birth alone in the house? Apparently "no-one" knew that she was pregnant. Even she, the mother, didn't. In short, the father sounds just as useless and just as neglectful as the other people in the family. But now, post-trial, he is talking to the press about how anguished he is! And was surrounded by other family members yesterday when he was speaking to the press: why hadn't THEY done anything?!

I've read the link in the OP's post now...incredibly sad and such a tragic series of events. It seems Jordan's legged cracked and he refused to walk and then he deteriorated from there on. I just can't believe that a family like that can just slip under the radar even when the brother (dawn Cranston's brother), has such high needs and is relatively well cared for.

I have not read the details but skimming through I am staggered by the length of the sentences and what message that sends out to anyone right now who is doing something similar...and there will be. Hidden away...out of the sight of society....

It's very hard to believe that an 18 year old could almost allow it to happen. Reading between the lines, I could believe the gran was controlling and dismissive of him, but at the same time I don't believe they intended for him to die. They believed (stupidly) they could attend to his needs himself. I can only imagine he had some issues and their own behaviour exacerbated the situation where others would've taken him straight to the doctors.

Horrifically sad case

I don't think anyone else neglecting someone to this degree will have any more self-awareness/common sense/empathy etc than these people had.

Wow this is incredibly awful. RIP Jordan

This situation is so sad and shocking. Poor Jordan. RIP.

so let me get this right....the father had this picture on his phone....did nothing and blames other people?

I dont care how many difficulties they had......a bloody animal would have behaved better.

Jordon was at school first so concerns should have been raised during that point and had follows ups, especially in terms of SENs kids (children with special educational needs). He was Home Educated much later. The Elective Home Education service would have been alerted to any educational concerns, other concerns would naturally be referred to Social Services. So those jumping on the idea that Home Education is a risk, could realise that social services include ALL children regardless of how they are educated. If their is evidence or concerns, they have to investigate as they are legally obligated. Family situation (especially low IQs or special needs) would have been picked up via the schools, this should have been followed up on so it is a failing of the school system and social services rather than Home Education. It is a fact that a large percentage of Home Educating parents do a good job of educating their children and caring for them. Children at risk of such circumstances of Jordon are usually always known to OTHER services (like social services and their local authority). This care has slipped through the net. The fact he was 18 when he died might even mean he wasn't actually legally being Home Educated at that point, a lot of child 16+ go on to higher education (college/university) or training or work. So Home Education should not be the focus and escape goat for what has been a truly awful situation with the whole system regarding local authorities' duty to him (as well as that of his family, friends and community who all share a percentage of blame). Anyone one could have reported this situation to social services!!

Ignore my typos.

Some might remember this case of a 4 year old Daniel Pelka who was starved and beaten for months (whilst attending school) before being murdered by his parents. To balance things out and give perspective on Jordon, as I am fed up of Home Education getting the blame when other services should have been involved clearly.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-24106823

but why shouldn HE be checked,all children have a right to an education

HE imo should be checked on a yearly basis

i really dont see what the problem is