Care worker left child to live alone

A DUNDEE health care worker has admitted leaving a child alone at a Kirkton house for more than four months without adequate food or heating.

Michelle Williamson, 36, pled guilty to wilfully neglecting the young teenager, leaving them living alone in a cold house, on a filthy mattress on the living room floor and surviving on bowls of cereal.

Police found the youngster living on their own in April last year following an anonymous tip-off to the council, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.

The child – who cannot be identified publicly – began occupying the property over Christmas in December 2020. Despite the conditions they were left in, council social workers raised no other concerns about Williamson or children in her care, the court was told.

Williamson is still employed as a health care assistant by a private firm, which presiding Sheriff John Rafferty described as “extraordinary”.

Deputy fiscal Dev Kapadia told the court: “The accused and her partner had discussions about living together in December 2020. The trial period commenced two weeks before Christmas. The complainer (the child) felt the house was too crowded and wanted to have their own space.

“Alternative arrangements were made for the child to live at the Beauly Avenue address, on their own, five nights a week.

“A double mattress was in the living room. It was the only room which was heated. (The child) was eating three bowls of cereal a day.

“If (the child) ran low on food, she would arrange for frozen food to be delivered, or the occasional takeaway. She would transfer money to (the child’s) bank to top up the energy meter.”

The fiscal continued: “This lasted until April 27. Police received a call from child protection from the council, who had received an anonymous call about concerns a child was living alone.

“Police attended the house. The door was eventually opened by the child, who indicated to them the reason they were home alone was because the accused had gone to the shops. But while talking to police the child conceded they lived alone because they needed space.

“Williamson would check in on the child once a week but would not stay, they said. Police were concerned about the condition of the house. It was in a state of disrepair.”

The court heard Williamson, of Kennet Walk, spoke with police in June 2021. She said she was a support worker and suffered from depression but made no comment on the matters raised by officers and no reply to caution and charge.

Defence solicitor Hannah Fairweather said: “Social work were informed of the situation initially – it was assessed and deemed there were no concerns and have not been involved since.”

Sheriff Rafferty deferred sentence to September 6 for reports.

He added: “It is extraordinary she was employed as an adult support worker, and more extraordinary she is currently a health care assistant.

“The whole range of sentencing options are open to me. I consider this to be a serious matter.”

Michelle Williamson.