England and Wales Family Court Decisions (other Judges)

IN THE FAMILY COURT IN LANCASHIRE

		26.4.17

1. The court records with sadness the death of a 7 month old baby who was currently the subject of care proceedings. She was born very prematurely in September 2016 and such was her delicate state that she remained in hospital for many months. On 5 April 2017 she was discharged home to her mother's care. On 18 April 2017 mother reported a serious deterioration in her condition. The baby had collapsed and was admitted to hospital where she died on 21 April 2017. The cause of the collapse is the subject of a Police investigation guided by medical evidence.
2. Lancashire County Council brought care proceedings before the baby was discharged from hospital. They had been involved with the welfare of 3 older children born to the mother. In 2004 the mother had accepted responsibility for inflicting injuries to one of 2 older children who went to live elsewhere. In 2015 she gave birth to a third child. After prolonged assessment by health and welfare professionals Lancashire County Council proposed that this baby remain in the mother's care with their monitoring and support. This plan was endorsed by the independent CAFCASS Guardian. The plan was approved by the court in December 2015 when a care order was made. Subsequent evidence indicated that the plan was a success. However recent events mean that this child has moved away.
3. In the current care proceedings the local authority proposed that the fourth child should be discharged home to the mother with their monitoring and support under an Interim Care Order. Alternatives were considered but this plan was in due course endorsed by the Guardian following extensive discussions with the local authority at court and on the basis of the intensive support package set out in the order approved by myself on 10 February 2017.
4. With the sad death of the child consideration by this court is at an end. However the cause of death is the subject of a Police investigation and there will be a Coroner's Inquest. If relevant to the death, the Inquest will be able to consider the placement of the baby in her mother's care.
5. The baby was deeply loved by her family, including her parents. The court sends them all our deepest sympathy in their very sad loss.

Approved as delivered 26.4.17

RD