‘Neglected’ baby must be adopted, judge tells her parents

A BABY girl whose health has been “grossly neglected” by her mother must be placed for adoption, a High Court judge has ruled.

But Mr Justice Mostyn says the coronavirus crisis may mean a delay in finding a new home.

The judge has concluded the little girl, who is yet to celebrate her first birthday, was not safe in the care of either her mother or father.

He said the girl’s health had been “grossly neglected” by her mother. She had suffered from eczema from birth.

Late last year, a social worker had told how, when her clothes were removed, she was bleeding and “her skin was falling on the floor”.

The girl had been placed with foster carers shortly after the social worker’s report. Mr Justice Mostyn said she had thrived in foster care and her eczema was under control.

Council social services bosses said she should be placed for adoption. The girl’s mother and father said their parenting skills should be further assessed. Mr Justice Mostyn ruled that she should be placed for adoption.

The judge said social services staff had made “every effort” to see if the woman and her daughter could “function together”.

But, he said, every attempt had failed.

“I recognise that the existing national medical emergency may well mean that there will be a delay in matching (the girl) with proposed adopters,” he said. “That is not a reason for delaying implementation of the proposal.”

The judge, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, analysed the case at a recent Skype hearing. He has not named anyone involved, including the council with responsibility for the girl’s care.