'Chipped teeth and untreated eczema': Parents have three children taken from them after neglect
A young couple have had three of their four children taken off them after they were found with chipped teeth, severely cracked nappy rash and untreated eczema.
The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering or injury to the health of a child through failing to provide proper care back in August. They have now been sentenced to 12 months supervision. The mother will also have to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, and the father will be under curfew for four months.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard this week how the youngest of the four children, born after social services were alerted to the family, remains with the parents.
Mr Andrew Baker, prosecuting, said social services were alerted in April 2014 after concerns were raised about the eldest child.
He said: "There was neglect in the care of all three children, who have all been taken away from them."
The oldest was found to have very poor dental hygiene, chips and cracks to two front teeth, and poor nutrition, while one of the babies had nappy rash with 'very severe cracking', which had not been treated appropriately, and eczema.
Neither the 22-year-old mother nor 25-year-old father had any previous convictions.
Mr Christopher O'Gorman, mitigating, said pre-sentence reports and a psychological report had been carried out for both parents.
Their baby has been in their care since February, and Mr O'Gorman said they had received a 'glowing commendation' on the progress they have made since their offences came to light.
The baby is happy and developing well both psychologically and educationally, Mr O'Gorman said, and the parents appear to have learned from the mistakes they made with their other three children.
They had also sought the help of agencies and had learned from them, he said.
Mr O'Gorman said the mother had 'laboured under difficulties' while trying to look after the three children, which he did not want to detail in open court. Those difficulties had a knock-on effect in terms of the father's responsibilities in looking after the children and caring for his wife.
During sentencing, Recorder Richard Atkinson said this was not a case of any wilful cruelty, but cruelty by neglect.
He said: "Children place a high burden of responsibility on their parents and you both failed.
"The outcome has been three of your children are no longer in your care and may well remain so."
And while he understood what was said about her condition, Recorder Atkinson said: "But that still means you have to take steps to ensure somebody helps you so the children do not suffer from your neglect."
