4 year old starved to death by his parents

[SquidgyMummy]

Horrendous Story

What i can't understand is why all the people who could have helped him: Teachers, school nurse, doctors etc could not see he was being mistreated. My 2 1/ year old weighs more than that poor child when he died.
I am just sickened by his needless death and the hand wringing "if only's" by the other adults who should have protected him

[Hrrrm]

Awful story.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

So sad

[RoooneyMara]

unbelievable. poor little soul.

[Mintyy]

Yes, hideous parents, awful story. But I am angry that the teacher and ta did not take it further and involve police.

[BarbarianMum]

Oh God, I almost wish I hadn't read that but he deserves his death to be acknowledged, at least.

I don't understand how this could happened. A child gets thinner and thinner and is desperate for food - it's not rocket science.

[NorthernLurker]

The case is still going through the courts. We don't know what happened yet. Today's evidence actually makes it clear that the school referred on appropriately and were given an explanation that made sense (albeit of a very rare situation) by the parents. Normal, healthy children come in all shapes and sizes. If you've never seen malnutrition and you're not looking for it you could mistake what you're seeing.

[BarbarianMum]

I'm quite amazed the school took the parents' word about a medical condition - we had to produce doctors letters regarding ds1's allergies.

And I have seen seriously malnorished/starving children and honestly they look nothing like normal ones, even those at the bottom of the growth charts. The only thing I've seen similar here in the west was a friend of mine with anorexia because she was, yes, starving .

[Snowfedup]

Finding it hard not to cry about this how how could the school not notice this how how could a teacher/classroom assistant not see - he was eating a dirty pancake and trying to eat play jelly did they not see, could someone not have brought him some food fgs !!!

Id like to think as a teacher if some child was obviously hungry even not even close to this degree that I would bring a bit extra.

Surely if he had no lunch he should have had school dinners I just don't understand.

So so so sad !

[JulieMumsnet]

Hi,

We know that this is an incredibly emotive thread but we'd just like to remind you that this is an ongoing court case and we wouldn't want anything posted here to prejudice the trial in any way.

It's perfectly acceptable to express your sadness or anger, but not OK to assume blame or to post details which are not already in the public domaine.

Many thanks,

MNHQ.

[NorthernLurker]

Snow - he did have a packed lunch. The teacher specifically referred to that in her evidence.

[ToTiredToBeWitty]

I amazed no one fed him at the school.

[Snowfedup]

Sorry have just read brief article didn't mention that just him stealing classmates lunches.

[timtam23]

This story made me cry, the poor little boy. What he went through must have been horrendous.

[stella1w]

Don't understand how a child can be compared to a concentration camp victim and more was not done.

[DoctorAnge]

Jesus how could the teachers let this carry on without reporting?!

[madaki]

I thought that the teacher did report it?

[AmberLeaf]

Poor little boy. That is heartbreaking.

I don't understand why social service didn't do more.

[AmberLeaf]

Were they even contacted? they must have been surely?

[OnTheNingNangNong]

That poor boy.

[EllieArroway]

I'm really, really upset by this. That poor little lad - stealing a pancake covered in grit out of the bin. He must have felt so desperate and lonely.

Sorry, Northern, but going by the news reports, it wasn't just that he was thin. He was also covered in bruises & his clothes were too small.

[EllieArroway]

Sorry, sorry people - DID NOT mean to imply that wearing clothes too small is a sign of abuse. My DS once spent an entire term in trousers that were too small because I couldn't afford new ones. Just saying - there was more to spot than just being thin.

[AudrinaAdare]

I cried reading the teacher's account too. From what I read he was wearing smaller sized clothes than the other children but that they were hanging off him. Lovely boy. I hope justice is done.