Child cruelty findings will stay private
A review has been launched into the serious neglect of a Lincolnshire toddler found home alone – but the findings may never be publicly revealed.
Kelly Tollerton was jailed for 18 months after being convicted in June of two counts of child cruelty and one of attempting to pervert justice.
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Kelly Tollerton
Police found her two-year-old son half-clothed, filthy and covered in his own excrement at a flat in Ingleby Crescent, Ermine East, Lincoln, in November 2006.
His mother had gone out for the weekend.
The little boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been taken off the social services 'at risk' register a year earlier.
Lincolnshire safeguarding children board launched an independent management review into the incident.
But whatever questions are answered in it, and whatever failings are uncovered, the board is under no obligation to make them public.
Social workers had become concerned for the youngster's welfare just two months after he was born, when he was admitted to Lincoln County Hospital dangerously underweight.
But he was taken off the at-risk register when he turned one.
Social worker Rachel Freeman told Lincoln Crown Court in June: "There were still concerns about the interaction between Tollerton and her son but the condition of the flat had improved.
"The case was closed as she had enrolled on a beauty therapy course which meant she was going to access child care."
Councillor Barry Fippard, shadow portfolio holder for children's services at the county council, said: "If there is a case review I find it very difficult to find a reason why we won't release the details.
"If there is information that can be given then it should be rather than trying to hide it."
Sentencing Tollerton, Recorder William Harbage said it was a "great pity" that social workers saw fit to discontinue their involvement.
And Lincolnshire Police described it as the worst case of neglect they had ever seen in the county.
For more on the review, see Monday's Echo
22 Comments
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by gem, london
Wednesday, January 14 2009, 8:28PM
“this woman did this to her child not social services a social worker is not phycic and can not see through walls. the child was being observed by social services for months and im sure anyone going into the profession dose not want a child to be abused, and would not allow this by choice. This woman obviously decived the social workers. What about all the good they do there are never storys published about good outcome and they do outway the bad. Lets just thank god the little one is safe now and being looked after, and that woman shold have been put in prison for attempted murder, 18 months what a joke forget social services what dose this say of are justice system?”
by anon, Lincs
Friday, December 26 2008, 6:19PM
“Social services keeping families together.Pah. Only if you are a child abuser apparently.
I asked for respite after a traumatic event. Instead of helping they dragged me through court after 2 weeks and then when I won,they wrote to me and said my parenting was of high standard!
The serious case review should be open and incompetent social workers sackled,but they never are.”
by Anon, Lincoln
Thursday, December 25 2008, 2:13AM
“What¿s that all about? Understandably there are people in this world who should not be able to bring children up, but for some to say that ¿simple people¿ shouldn¿t be able to breed?? How would you go about testing all the so called simpletons, an IQ test, a course perhaps??? And what makes a simpleton these days?? The area they live in, the clothes they¿re wearing. The people they spend their time with, Did they finish their education??
There are some well off people you hear of in this world, couple of kids, sent off to boarding schools at the other end of the country, now i wouldn¿t possible dream of calling these kids abused, or mistreated in anyway but why have a child if your too busy to see them growing up?? Don¿t get me wrong i am in no way, sticking up for the way this woman treated her child but to tarnish a group of people who may or may not (in some people¿s minds) be fit enough to bring up a child is in my mind disgusting.”
by Bemused, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Thursday, December 25 2008, 1:13AM
“Why have my comments about 'simple' people not being allowed to breed been removed? I am only speaking the truth... castrate and steralise them all....!”
by What is this country coming to?, LINCOLN
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 9:54AM
“look at it differently, lincoln :
I really do hope your not in a position to be working with vulnerable children etc...Your comments are pathetic!
YES-People do make mistake...But in there jobs NO! If I were to miss something out as important as this I would be sacked from the position!
This child and house didn't over night become this way it was MONTHS worth of grime and filth...Where were her family,Friends and social services then?!
As for the mother being labeled 'simple' it is unfair, Many people with learning disabilities go onto have happy families with well looked after Children, this monster obviously couldn't be bothered!
STOP PASSING THE BOOK!
Social services, Family and Friends were involved and failed! FULL STOP!”