Four Sacked For Failings In Baby P Case

Haringey Council wrote a letter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) saying they were 'entirely supportive' of Baby P's relationship with his mother, it has been claimed.

The alleged letter was reported on ITV News last night as it emerged a police investigation against the child's mother was dropped despite warnings from three doctors that his injuries could have been caused by abuse.

Their statements said that his bruises were 'suggestive of non-accidental injury'.

Haringey's letter to the CPS apparently said council officials could see no evidence of abuse to support criminal proceedings.



The CPS decided there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to trial.

The council's letter was sent to lawyers in July last year, at the same time the CPS was evaluating the police evidence and the statements by the three doctors, before it decided not to proceed with assault allegations against the mother.

The child's 27-year-old mother had been arrested twice on suspicion of assaulting him but gave a string of implausible and contradictory excuses to social workers, police and health officials.

Scotland Yard's child abuse unit compiled a file on the case, which included the doctors' statements.

This was passed to the CPS, but lawyers there said they could not prove how and when the injuries were caused or who had inflicted them.

They eventually told police to drop the assault investigation, and Baby P's mother was told on August 2 last year that no further action would be taken.

Her 17-month-old son was found dead in his blood-spattered cot the next day.

The revelation of the doctors' warnings raises questions about Haringey council's repeated decisions to send the toddler back to the home where he died.

Police said they did not want the child returned to his mother while they were investigating her for assault, and frontline social worker Sylvia Henry urged her managers to place him with a foster family.

A CPS spokesman refused to confirm that the doctors who raised the alarm were consultant paediatricians Heather Mackinnon and Metta Jorgensson and family GP Jerome Ikwueke.

But all three gave evidence to the Old Bailey trial that they were deeply concerned about Baby P's injuries.

He was first taken to Dr Ikwueke on December 1, 2006 with bruises to his forehead, chest and shoulder, and the GP told his mother to take him to hospital.

Dr Ikwueke told the trial the mother was 'flustered and agitated' and tried to blame the bruises on the boy's grandmother.

He said: 'I couldn't get a history of how it happened. She said it was the fault of the grandmother. I was not satisfied with the explanation.'

He contacted a junior doctor at the Whittington Hospital in North London and Baby P was seen by Dr Jorgensson.

She found he had a two-inch swelling on his forehead, bruises on his cheek and arm, and scratches on his right leg and shoulder.

She was also 'alarmed' to find that Baby P had extensive bruising on both buttocks.

Dr Jorgensson said the mother 'seemed surprised' by the injuries and gave no immediate explanation for them. But within minutes she said her dogs - a German Shepherd and a Staffordshire bull terrier - could have jumped on him.

Baby P was admitted to the hospital and was examined the next day by Dr Mackinnon.

By then his mother's excuses had changed again, and she told Dr Mackinnon the bruises might be from 'climbing on the sofa and falling on his bottom'.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, even tried to claim one bruise had been caused by Dr Ikwueke.

After examining the child, Dr Mackinnon called social services and police. The mother was interviewed under caution by child protection officer Angela Slade later that day, and gave yet another explanation.

DC Slade told the court: 'She told me that her son was a lively child and he had a habit of banging his head on the cot bars.'

The mother was arrested on suspicion of assault on December 19, but protested her innocence.

Three days later DC Slade was at the social services meeting when Baby P was put on Haringey's Child Protection Register.

It is believed that police then spoke to Dr Ikwueke and Dr Jorgensson, who told of their doubts about Baby P's mother's explanations for his injuries. Detectives advised that Baby P should not be returned to his mother.

Social services managers placed him with a family friend for five weeks, but he was then handed back to her. In April 2007, Baby P was admitted to North Middlesex Hospital with bruises to his face.

However, the police - who were still investigating the assault allegations - were not even told about the incident.

The mother, her 32-year- old boyfriend and their lodger Jason Owen, 36, of Bromley, Kent, were all arrested after Baby P's death on August 3.

They will be sentenced on December 15 for causing or allowing the death of a child.

On Tuesday Children's Secretary Ed Balls promised a new layer of official boards to try to ensure that social workers, health workers and police officers protect children in violent homes.

But Mr Balls was forced to admit that the Children's Trust Boards would not have prevented the death of Baby P.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1087203/Council-entirely-supportive-Baby-Ps-relationship-mother--THREE-doctors-warned-abuse.html

The hospital doctor who failed to spot that Baby P had a broken back has spoken about her role in the child's "shocking and tragic" death.

Dr Sabah Al Zayyat, the only person to be sacked over the case, said she had been "deeply affected" by her involvement in the events leading up to his death in August last year.

Dr Al Zayyat, 52, told an Old Bailey jury earlier this month that she could not examine Baby P properly when he was brought into St Ann's Hospital in Tottenham, north London because he was "miserable and cranky", adding: "He didn't look any different to a child with a cold."

In fact, the court heard, Baby P's spine had been snapped "like a hinge" in an unimaginably violent attack and he had eight broken ribs. He died two days later after being punched in the face.

Saudi-born Dr Al Zayyat, a consultant paediatrician, said in a statement: "Like everyone involved in this case, I have been deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circumstances of this young child's death.

"My professional career has been devoted to the care of children I will co-operate with any investigation to identify whether lessons can be learned from this case.

"But I feel it would be inappropriate to provide any further comment to the Press at this time."

Dr Al Zayyat, who lives in Ilford, Essex, who was the last medical practitioner to see the Baby P, sent him home after examining him. She later said: "He was sitting unsupported. There was no reason to suspect anything."

The paediatrician, whose contract was terminated by the hospital, is now banned from working with children unsupervised and faces a General Medical Council investigation.

A total of 19 doctors and health workers examined Baby P on a total of 33 occasions in the eight months before his death.

Three of the doctors raised concerns with police that his injuries appeared to be "non-accidental", but the Crown Prosecution Service, which had received a report from Haringey social services supporting the boy's mother, decided there was not enough evidence to charge her.

"My professional career has been devoted to the care of children I will co-operate with any investigation to identify whether lessons can be learned from this case.


The first lesson you need to learn is the difference between a broken back and a flaming cold you moron

The stupid woman needs to be struck off,what else has she missed in other cases.

One idiot sacked...19 to go!!!

Ambersuz wrote:One idiot sacked...19 to go!!!

i agree..anyone involved in over looking this little boys desperate situation should be sacked ,if not worse.It upsets me so much to thing what the poor little mite went through in his short life.

He looked no different to any other child with a cold????? Stupid COW!!
He was miserable and cranky???? Silly woman!!

I don't live far from her you know....I may go looking for her late one night.... :Boxer:

6:26am UK, Monday November 24, 2008

Two top councillors in Haringey are to face calls for their resignation as the price for failing to intervene in the case of Baby P.

The Liberal Democrat opposition on Labour-run Haringey Council in north London is to table a motion demanding that councillor Liz Santry, cabinet member for children and young people, and leader George Meehan resign over the baby's death.

The motion will be tabled during a full council meeting tonight.

Baby P died in a blood-spattered cot in August last year despite 60 visits from the authorities over eight months during which he suffered more than 50 injuries.

The toddler's mother, her boyfriend and their lodger, Jason Owen, 36, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 15 for causing or allowing his death.

The council have previously apologised for not doing more to protect Baby P.

Ms Santry has expressed regrets about Baby P's death.

She said: "This is a really tragic occurrence and the circumstances of his death are really dreadful.

"He died over 15 months ago, and for those past 15 months in Haringey there has been a huge amount of anguish, and endless discussion about what more we might have done to save this little boy.

"I have to say that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him.

"Our duty is to protect our children. We did not do so in this instance and I would like to say how truly sorry we are."

Children's Secretary Ed Balls has ordered an urgent inquiry into Haringey's child welfare services.

Haringey Council was previously severely criticised after the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000.

That punishment is not enough but its a start!

Ambersuz wrote:That punishment is not enough but its a start!

I want to know if they have actually resigned. Its easy saying it on paper to keep the public quiet but it wouldnt surprise me if they are still doing the same thing elsewhere.

they were probably changed to desk jobs.

3:15am UK, Monday December 01, 2008
A report expected to pile more pressure on social workers at the council criticised over Baby P's death will be handed to ministers later today.

Social workers at Haringey Council in north London have come under fire after the little boy was killed while on the child protection register.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls ordered an urgent review of the local authority's child welfare services at the end of the trial of those responsible last month.

He asked the inspectors to provide him with a first report on their findings by today.

Mr Balls has pledged to publish the document, although he will consider its contents before deciding whether to do so today or at a later date.

He may ask the inspectors - from Ofsted, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary - to investigate particular issues at Haringey in more detail.

Sharon Shoesmith, the council head of children's services, has faced public anger over her department's handling of the Baby P case.

While refusing to criticise any individual professionals involved in the tragedy, Mr Balls has emphasised the need for "accountability" where there are failures.

He said an independent serious case review had raised "serious concerns" about the wider management of child protection services in Haringey.

Baby P was 17 months old when he died in a blood-splattered cot in August last year.

He had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his abusive mother, 27, her boyfriend, 32, and their lodger, Jason Owen, 36, despite 60 contacts with the authorities over eight months.

A judge has warned the trio they are facing "substantial" terms in prison when they are sentenced at the Old Bailey next spring.

Sharon Shoesmith has been sacked...no pay...no nothing

Angelina wrote:Sharon Shoesmith has been sacked...no pay...no nothing

Where did you hear that Ange???

Great news BTW!!!


OK got it



Breaking News

5:53pm UK, Monday December 08, 2008
Haringey Council has dismissed Sharon Shoesmith, the head of children's services at the time of Baby P's death.

She was dismissed "with immediate effect" and will not receive any compensation.

A short statement released by the north London council said: "Sharon Shoesmith has been dismissed from Haringey Council with immediate effect.

"The decision was taken today by a panel of councillors.

"Ms Shoesmith will not be returning to work in Haringey. She will not receive any compensation package. She will not receive any payment in lieu of notice."

Baby P died after suffering a catalogue of abuse at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and a lodger. They will be sentenced next week at the Old Bailey.

The toddler, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had dozens of wounds on his body.

But more than 60 visits by the authorities, including social workers from Haringey, failed to identify how much danger he was in.

Council leader George Meehan and cabinet member Liz Santry resigned over the scandal.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls removed Ms Shoesmith from her post on December 1 after a damning report into her department's shortcomings.

But the 55-year-old remained on full pay while the council considered her case.

The senior council manager provoked widespread anger for the way she responded to revelations that Baby P was killed while on the child protection register.

At a press conference at the end of the trial, she said: "The very sad fact is that we can't stop people who are determined to kill children. I am satisfied that the action that should have been taken was taken."

Inspectors were sent into Haringey in north London after the trial of those responsible for the 17-month-old baby's brutal death.

More follows ...

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Baby-P-Sharon-Shoesmith-Dismissed-From-Haringey-Council-With-Immediate-Effect/Article/200812215175014?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_0&lid=ARTICLE_15175014_Baby_P%3A_Sharon_Shoesmith_Dismissed_From_Haringey_Council_With_Immediate_Effect

GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

Stupid cow. About bloody time!

:Super: news.

I had hoped they would kick her arse into prison but this will do nicely :risas:

Yes i heard it on the news, any more sackings i wonder.

Hope so.

lincs wrote:Yes i heard it on the news, any more sackings i wonder.

There;s been 3 so far gone. Ed Balls :Theman:

Allstar wrote:

lincs wrote:Yes i heard it on the news, any more sackings i wonder.

There;s been 3 so far gone. Ed Balls :Theman:

About time wished we had public floggings that would be one i would not of missed, thanks Allstar.

lincs wrote:

Allstar wrote:

lincs wrote:Yes i heard it on the news, any more sackings i wonder.

There;s been 3 so far gone. Ed Balls :Theman:

About time wished we had public floggings that would be one i would not of missed, thanks Allstar.

Its about time that silly biatch was thrown out

6:34am UK, Tuesday January 06, 2009
The children's services chief sacked over the Baby P scandal is appealing against her dismissal, it has emerged.

Sharon Shoesmith was fired last month from her reported £110,000 job at Haringey Council after a damning report into her department's handling of the case.

In a case that shocked the nation, the toddler was found dead in a blood-spattered cot in August 2007, despite being on the council's child protection register at the time.

Ms Shoesmith was sacked after the report into her department's shortcomings "led to a fundamental loss of trust and confidence" in her ability.

But a spokesman for Haringey Council confirmed Ms Shoesmith was appealing against her dismissal.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Baby-P-Haringey-Council-Chief-Sharon-Shoesmith-Appeals-Against-Sacking/Article/200901115197987?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15197987_Baby_P%3A_Haringey_Council_Chief_Sharon_Shoesmith_Appeals_Against_Sacking

This bitch should be hung!

If I was the judge in the appeal I would stick it where the sun doesnt shine and then kick her butt to ensure she feels it there for years to come!

She wouldnt even apologise for that babys death!!