Thursday, April 24, 2014

Concerns raised three months before dad killed 7-month-old son (United Kingdom)

Notice that in all this rhetoric about the baby's father and "his home," there is absolutely no mention of the mother. She's not cited as a factor in this baby's death one way or another. It's as if she had never existed. What happened to Mum? Is NATHAN PICK a single father?

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Death-Derby-baby-James-Lee-Riley-Pick-Concerns/story-21006094-detail/story.html

Death of Derby baby: Concerns raised three months before James Lee Riley-Pick died

By Martin_Naylor | Posted: April 24, 2014

A SERIOUS case review into the death of a seven-month-old baby killed by his father in Derby has revealed there were concerns about his safety raised three months before the death.

James Lee Riley-Pick died at his home in Waterford Drive, Chaddesden, on May 8, 2012.

He had suffered serious head injuries and his father, Nathan Pick, 38, pleaded guilty to his manslaughter and was jailed for seven years at Nottingham Crown Court last year.

The review, published by Derby Safeguarding Children Board this morning, says that, in February 2012, James-Lee suffered bruising to his genital area which was highlighted to children’s social care.

The report says: “In February 2012, concerns about his safety were considered by the Family Proceedings Court, following an application for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO).

“The EPO was not granted and the court determined that the injury being considered was accidental.

“The child returned home.

“Shortly after this, in May 2012, he died as a result of internal bleeding caused by a head injury.”

Christine Cassell, chair of the Derby Safeguarding Children Board said: “This is a tragic case of a baby who died as a result of a sudden act by his father which could not have been predicted.

“He was not an invisible child but one who was well known to local agencies during his short life and action was taken to try to protect him.

“The review does not identify major failings of agencies.

“In fact, the review concludes that the practice of professionals was at least competent and, in many cases, good.

“It does describe how agencies were disempowered by a court decision that is very unusual and to our knowledge has not occurred before.

“This had implications for the way professionals felt able to protect this little boy when he returned home.”