Charlie serious case review
A SERIOUS case review has been launched in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the Charlie Dunn tragedy.
The five-year-old died in the summer of 2016 after being left unsupervised at Bosworth Water Park.
Charlie had been underwater for more than 22 minutes before boys playing in the lake pulled his body out from under the surface on July 23 last year.
His step-dad Paul Smith was jailed in December for sevenand-a-half years for gross negligence manslaughter.
Lynsey Dunn, (28), who lived with Smith (36) in Glascote Heath, Tamworth, was given an eight-month suspended sentence for two counts of cruelty by neglect, relating to incidents before Charlie’s death.
None of Smith and Dunn’s other children remain in their custody.
Staffordshire County Council has confirmed a serious case review is now underway following the conviction of Smith.
Councillor Mark Sutton, cabinet member for children and young people, said in a statement: “This was an incredibly sad case and our sympathies are with Charlie’s wider family today.
“A serious case review is currently being conducted to examine what lessons may be learned by partners to help prevent such a tragic event happening again.”
An NSPCC spokesman added: “Smith abandoned his responsibility to keep Charlie safe from harm, with devastating consequences.
“Parents and carers must be aware of the dangers of leaving children unsupervised, particularly in situations like this. It is down to them to assess each scenario and ensure their child is safe.”