Social Services Failed to Order Medical Exam for Baby Later Murdered, Court Hears
A Stafford Crown Court jury has been told that social services failed to order a child protection medical examination for a five-week-old baby who displayed "dark black" bruises on her face, just days before she was murdered by her parents. The tragic case of Darcy-Leigh Jefferson has revealed critical failures in safeguarding procedures.
Missed Warning Signs Before Catastrophic Injury
Healthcare visitor Zena Graham testified that she informed social services about two "dark black" bruises she observed on Darcy-Leigh's face during a visit to mother Amy Clarke's home on March 24, 2022. Ms Graham also reported "dried blood" around the baby's lips during that same visit. Despite these alarming signs and the fact that Darcy-Leigh was already on a child protection plan, social services "took a different view" and did not order the recommended medical examination.
The court heard that during the March 24 visit, Darcy-Leigh appeared "in some pain" and was "crying" persistently. Ms Graham noted the baby felt "very hot on the back of her neck" and remained "unsettled" throughout the visit. The healthcare worker expressed particular concern about the bruises, telling the court: "Babies of that age don't routinely bruise easily and because they are not moving about how a toddler would, that was of more concern."
Timeline of Tragedy
Darcy-Leigh Jefferson was born prematurely at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield on February 20, 2022, weighing just 4lbs. She was admitted to hospital on March 27 with catastrophic brain injuries and died two days later on March 29, aged just five weeks. The fatal injury occurred five days after Ms Graham's final visit where she reported the bruises to social services.
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC told jurors that medical experts determined Darcy-Leigh "did not have any medical conditions which would explain her death." He stated: "She died because a traumatic head injury had been inflicted upon her." The court heard the fatal brain injury could have been caused by violent shaking or the baby's head striking a surface.
Multiple Injuries Revealed
In addition to the fatal brain injury, post-mortem examinations revealed Darcy-Leigh suffered 47 rib fractures, which prosecutors allege were caused when her chest was tightly "squeezed." Fractures to both legs may have resulted from "pulling or twisting" or occurred when her body was shaken. These multiple injuries paint a disturbing picture of sustained abuse.
Parental Denials and Background
Sean Jefferson, 35, of Birch Court, Walsall, and Amy Clarke, 34, of Enots Close, Lichfield, both deny murdering their five-month-old daughter. They also deny alternative charges including manslaughter, causing or allowing the baby's death, grievous bodily harm with intent, causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and child cruelty.
The court heard concerning background details about the parents' lifestyles. Clarke "drank a lot of alcohol" and took cocaine, continuing both while pregnant and soon after giving birth. Jefferson smoked cannabis regularly. Prosecutors allege Clarke was "careful to ensure that there were no signs" at home that she was drinking or taking drugs, allegedly "hid[ing] the truth" to create an impression of a "well-presented and ordered life."
Healthcare Visitor's Concerns
Ms Graham testified about her growing concerns regarding Darcy-Leigh's welfare during multiple visits in March 2022. She noted the baby was not gaining weight appropriately despite being formula-fed, telling the court: "I could not understand why we had a formula-fed baby that was not gaining weight... I was not happy - really from the day she came out of the hospital."
During her final visit on March 24, Ms Graham observed Clarke seemed to have had "very little sleep" and appeared anxious. When shown the bruises on Darcy-Leigh's face, Clarke asked if "they would be in any trouble." Ms Graham advised that Jefferson needed to hold the baby "not so hard" and that she needed to report the bruises to social services as per established policies.
Systemic Failures Highlighted
The case has highlighted potential systemic failures in child protection procedures. When prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC asked Ms Graham: "Did you think that your policies suggested there should be a child protection medical examination?" she replied: "Yes." When asked if she made this clear to the social work team, Ms Graham responded: "Crystal."
Despite these clear warnings and the healthcare professional's insistence on following established protocols, social services chose not to order the medical examination that might have saved Darcy-Leigh's life. The decision represents a critical failure in the safeguarding system designed to protect vulnerable children.
Trial Continues
The murder trial continues at Stafford Crown Court, with both parents maintaining their innocence against all charges. The case has drawn attention to the importance of heeding professional concerns in child protection cases and the potentially catastrophic consequences when warning signs are ignored by safeguarding authorities.
