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Social Services Missed Bruises Before Baby's Murder
6 Feb
Summary
- Social services allegedly ignored bruises and dried blood on baby Darcy-Leigh.
- A healthcare visitor reported concerns days before the baby's death.
- The baby's parents deny charges of murder and causing her death.
A court heard that social services allegedly overlooked critical warning signs before the murder of a baby by her parents. A healthcare visitor, Zena Graham, testified that she informed social services about 'dark black' bruises and dried blood on Darcy-Leigh Jefferson's face three days before the infant was hospitalized with a severe brain injury.
Despite Darcy-Leigh being on a 'child protection plan' and appearing distressed during a visit on March 24, 2022, social services reportedly did not arrange a medical examination. The baby tragically died five days later. Her parents, Sean Jefferson and Amy Clarke, have pleaded not guilty to murdering their five-week-old daughter and other related charges.
Darcy-Leigh, born prematurely on February 20, 2022, suffered a catastrophic brain injury, along with 47 rib fractures and leg fractures, allegedly inflicted by her parents. The court was told that medical experts found no underlying health conditions to explain her death, attributing it solely to inflicted trauma.
