Baby put in care after dad’s praise for formula milk
A WEEK-OLD baby boy was taken from his parents in hospital by social workers after his father praised “the benefits of formula milk”.
Social workers swooped on the baby after the father was accused of expressing “unorthodox views” about bottle sterilisation and feeding.
Now Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire has been ordered to pay the parents and their son £11,250 damages.
Mr Justice Cobb said there was “no doubt” in his mind that the council had violated the family’s human rights – and even “misled” a family court judge.
Kirklees Council had persuaded a judge to sanction the baby being taken into emergency care without telling his parents about the hearing.
Just before the baby was due to be discharged from hospital, the council obtained an emergency care order.
The family court judge was told that the parents were “on notice” of the hearing and had “agreed” to their baby being taken away.
The council also “forgot to notify” the family welfare body Cafcass, so no was there to represent the interests.
Mr Justice Cobb said the parents were “unaware” of the hearing and were “understandably very upset” when they were told about it.
The baby was finally sent home to his parents about three months after his removal.
In the year since then, the judge said, the boy has “continued to thrive in his parents’ care”.
He added: “There is no doubt in my mind, indeed it is admitted, that Kirklees Council breached the human rights of a baby boy and his parents. “I am satisfied that the breaches were serious.” Awarding the mother, the father and the boy £3,750 damages each, the judge said that was “just and fair satisfaction” for the wrongs done to them.
The judge also ordered the council to pay a substantial part of the £120,000 legal costs incurred. lawyer baby’s