Child cruelty findings will stay private

By [lwallace]

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.

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