Baby Preston: A Trail of Missed Warnings

Preston Davey, a 13-month-old baby, was murdered by his adoptive parents, Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley, who treated him as a 'plaything.'

During his short life, Preston suffered 40 traumatic injuries and was taken to the hospital on three separate occasions with significant concerns, including a broken elbow and unexplained bruising. Despite multiple visits from social workers and police involvement, the abuse went undetected until his death on July 27, 2023.

An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review has been initiated to examine how authorities failed to protect Preston. This review will scrutinize the series of missed opportunities, including suspicious injuries, concerning text messages from Varley, and a non-specific 999 call, that occurred in the months leading up to the tragedy.

Preston was initially placed in emergency care at five days old due to his mother serving a prison sentence. He spent his first nine months with foster parents, the Coopers, where he thrived. However, shortly after being placed with his adoptive parents in April 2023, concerns began to surface, including a "gut feeling" from his former foster mother and chilling text messages from Varley indicating dark thoughts.

Varley was found guilty of sexual abuse and murder, while McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault. Both Adoption Now and Oldham Council have expressed their commitment to cooperating with the ongoing review.