Police 'may review' baby's death

[Wee Gordon]

Unlawful killing verdict on baby
Police could review the case of a baby who died with 40 broken bones after an inquest in Cardiff ruled she had been unlawfully killed.
Chloe Thomas was 14 weeks old when she died in 2003 with 40 broken bones.

A coroner returned an unlawful killing verdict on Friday. Chloe's parents, from Bridgend, had both previously been convicted of cruelty.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said: "The police may review the case in the light of the findings."

He added: "Following any review, should they ask the CPS to reconsider the evidence then the case will be subject to such reconsideration."

The trust accepts there were some things that could have been done differently

Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust

A South Wales Police spokesman said it would be considering the findings and discussing them with the CPS.

Cardiff coroner Mary Hassell said she would also send a report of her findings to childcare agencies, a health trust and the Welsh assembly government, adding: "Chloe suffered a continuous and sustained pattern of abuse."

Chloe had been placed on an "at risk" register by health workers in the weeks before her death.

Health adviser Anne Powell said there had been "concerns" about the baby, who appeared distressed.

A child protection conference was held before Chloe's death in which a "great deal of concern" was displayed by health professionals.



She died after collapsing at her home in Pencoed, Bridgend, in April 2003 with 40 fractures to her skull, wrist, rib, leg and fingers.

In January Chloe's father, Ceri Thomas, 23, from Bridgend, was cleared of murder but he was jailed for three months after admitting child cruelty.

The child's mother, Sarah Scott, 19, from Cardiff, was given a three-year community rehabilitation order after admitting the same charge.

'Array of injuries'

At the inquest into Chloe's death, Cardiff Crown Court heard that Thomas and Scott gave the child tea instead of milk, tried to "walk" her aged eight weeks and resisted the involvement of social services.

Ms Hassell said: "There is no doubt in my mind that Chloe suffered a continuous and sustained pattern of abuse in her short life that resulted in her death.

"I have had it put to me that Chloe sustained an array of injuries, several of which had a non-accidental origin.

"She died of a brain haemorrhage and suffered more than 40 fractures.

"Chloe was well known to social services but there was a six-week delay in getting her a new social worker although she was on her the at risk register."

'Robust safeguards'

Following the inquest, Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust said that some things could have been done differently in the time leading up to Chloe's death.

A spokesperson said: "The death of this child is a tragedy which has had a profound effect on many - including those healthcare staff who had close contact with the mother, her baby and partner.

"The trust accepts there were some things that could have been done differently.

"However, potential danger to the baby was identified by health professionals at an early stage and referral made to the appropriate agencies and a child protection conference convened.

"Unfortunately, this did not prevent the neglect and death of the baby and that is to be deeply regretted by all concerned."

The trust added it was "developing robust safeguards" to try to prevent any similar death.

Bridgend Council's executive director for community, Tony Garthwaite, said: "Now that the inquest is over, we shall be giving careful consideration to the coroner's verdict and also examining any other relevant information which emerged during the inquest."

But Sian Casey, who is Scott's aunt, said she was not satisfied with the outcome of the inquest and said she had reported her concerns about the child's welfare.

Describing Chloe, she said: "At first she was a happy child."