Dad attacks baby in hospital (West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom)

A recent Children Board report reveals that an UNNAMED DAD attacked his newborn baby while he was still in the hospital. The baby was left with a severe brain injury, and now has cerebral palsy, blindness, and epilepsy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/8174124.stm

Page last updated at 10:17 GMT, Wednesday, 29 July 2009 11:17 UK

Father attacked baby in hospital

A newborn baby was left with a severe brain injury after being attacked by his father on a hospital ward in West Yorkshire, a report has revealed.

The baby, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sustained the injury within five days of birth at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in August 2007.

He now suffers from cerebral palsy, blindness and epilepsy as a result.

The review for Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board criticised professionals for failing to protect the baby.

The report states how the child had been made the subject of an interim care order and had not been discharged from hospital because of concerns about his parents and fears of domestic violence.

The decision for the baby to be cared for on the ward whilst the baby was the subject of an order was flawed

Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB)

The baby and his mother were moved to a side ward where they could not be watched so frequently.

Police investigation

The report, published by Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB), said: "The decision for the baby to be cared for on the ward whilst the baby was the subject of an order was flawed in that there was a level of supervision that in truth did not exist."

A judge found that the father was responsible for the baby's injuries and that the mother was at least complicit in hiding the truth.

The police investigation into the child's injuries has not yet been concluded, the report said.

A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said: "We are continuing to work closely with partner agencies to improve pre-birth planning and services for families where domestic violence is a issue so that the welfare of all family members, including unborn children who may have become victims of abuse, is carefully considered."

Second review

The spokeswoman added working practices were monitored to "ensure improvements are made where necessary".

A second serious case review, also published by KSCB, revealed details of a four-week-old girl who died from apparent asphyxiation in July 2008 after sleeping on her father's chest.

The child was the subject of a child protection plan and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

The report said: "There was clear evidence of risk of significant harm to the child which, while recognised by relevant individuals and organisations, did not appear to have led to effective planning and safeguarding arrangements."

A council spokeswoman added: "As the serious case review confirms, there was no evidence of physical injury, systematic neglect or of the professionals involved showing a lack of due care and concern with regard to protective arrangements