'Her short life must not be forgotten' - Police release image of five-week-old baby Darcy as father found guilty of child's murder
A father has been found guilty of the murder of his five-week-old daughter.
Sean Jefferson, aged 35, of Walsall, was found guilty of the murder of his five-week-old daughter, Darcy, at Stafford Crown Court today following an eight-week trial.
Staffordshire Police were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service on Sunday, March 27, 2022, the day after Mother's Day, after it was reported that Darcy had fatally collapsed at her home in Burntwood.
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Jefferson and her mother, Amy Leigh Clark, were both arrested the next day, and sadly, Darcy died in the hospital on March 29.
An investigation found that Darcy had died as a result of a catastrophic head injury, and both parents were charged in May 2025.
Horrifically, the incident was found to not be an isolated occurrence in Darcy's short life, with evidence showing that throughout the five weeks after she was born, she was physically assaulted on a repeated basis.
By the time she had died, Darcy had sustained 47 rib fractures, and both of her legs were fractured.
The fractures occurred on at least three occasions, with police saying that they were not the only injuries inflicted on her.
Now, following the conclusion of the trial, Staffordshire Police have said that their thoughts remain with Darcy's older sibling, and that the 'short life' of Darcy 'must not be forgotten'.
Staffordshire Police detective chief inspector Ian Fitzgerald said: "Today’s verdict concludes a profoundly distressing case involving the murder of five-week-old Darcy. Her short life and tragic death must not be forgotten.
“Darcy was violently abused and murdered by her father. Her mother allowed her death. These were the people who should have loved and cared for her. It was despicable behaviour against a defenceless child."
The charges of murder against Amy Leigh Clark were later dropped in court; however, she was found guilty of causing/allowing the death of a baby.
Inspector Fitzgeral added: “It has been an exceptionally difficult investigation, and the thoughts of the entire investigation team remain with her elder sibling, who has faced an unimaginable loss and a lengthy judicial process.
“I wish to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of the officers and staff who have worked so tirelessly on this case, but also the CPS prosecutor and barristers, Harpreet Sandhu, King's Counsel and Joshua Purser."
As well as being found guilty of causing/allowing the death of a child, Jefferson was also found guilty of two counts of section 18 - causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Jefferson and Clark are due to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a date to be fixed.
