Baby’s death at hands of father ‘not predictable’
AN investigation into the death of a baby at the hands of her own father has concluded that the murder could not have been predicted.
Tomas Driukas left four-month-old Deimante Driukate with a “catastrophic” brain injury when he battered and shook her at their Perry Barr home.
The 26-year-old, from Lithuania, had lashed out in “frustration” when he was looking after the prematurelyborn tot on his own and then tried to blame his girlfriend 23-year-old Renata Braskyte.
He was jailed for life after being convicted of murder in February last year.
Now the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board has published its Serious Case Review which has con- cluded that the health and social services could not have predicted the death.
But it has recommended some improvements at City Hospital in the light of the inquiry.
Deimante was one of two twins born 28 weeks premature in November 2014. The twins were discharged from hospital two months later, one slightly later than the other.
However, it was after the mother started night work, that the father, left in charge, killed Deimante by shaking her.
Her brother and an older child showed no signs of abuse and were taken into child protection services.
While the serious case review has found that there was no way for health service staff to predict or prevent the murder it has recommended a few improvements to services, including the availability of translation services. City Hospital has taken those on board.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Chief Nurse Elaine Newell said: “We were distressed to hear of the death of Deimante Driukaite.
“We have made significant changes including the introduction of weekly multi-disciplinary team discharge planning meetings, ensuring all babies due for discharge have an appropriate care plan and that the professionals involved in delivering it have the plan in place before the baby goes home.”
A spokesman for child protection charity NSPCC added: “Deimante suffered horrifically at the hands of her own father, who carries sole responsibility for her violent and tragically early death. While Tomas Driukas’s vile actions could not have been predicted, the review highlights that professionals in Birmingham and elsewhere must leave no stone unturned when dealing with vulnerable families with complex needs.
“Any parent who is feeling stressed or under pressure can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.”