A British woman has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for keeping her infant daughter hidden in a drawer. The child was kept in a cabinet under her bed for nearly three years. The case was described as “unfathomable” by the judge. It was further revealed that years of severe neglect and abuse left the child physically and emotionally scarred.
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A Shocking Discovery
The toddler was discovered just weeks before her third birthday at the family’s Cheshire home. Malnourished, dehydrated, and with untreated medical conditions, the girl had lived a life of isolation. The mother hid the child from her current partner and other children. She had developmental delays, a cleft palate left untreated, and was fed only milky cereal through a syringe.
The horrific situation came to light when the mother’s partner accidentally discovered the child after hearing noises from a bedroom. After the initial suspicions by the partner, he found the girl in a drawer with matted hair and rashes. Social services was immediately alerted.
At Chester Crown Court, Judge Steven Everett condemned the mother’s actions, stating the child had endured a “living death.” He accused the woman of robbing her daughter of basic human dignity, love, and care, calling her treatment “catastrophic” physically, psychologically, and socially.
The Child’s Recovery
Now in foster care, the little girl is reportedly making progress, described as an “intelligent child slowly coming to life.” However, the prosecutor revealed that when first taken into care, the child did not even recognise her name.
During police interviews, the mother claimed she hadn’t realised she was pregnant and was “scared” after giving birth. She admitted that the child was “not part of the family.” The toddler had kept hidden out of fear and confusion. Her defence attorney cited mental health struggles, an abusive relationship with the child’s father, and the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown as contributing factors.
Community Reaction
The case has sparked widespread outrage and grief, with many questioning how such severe neglect could go unnoticed for so long. Advocacy groups are calling for stronger social safety nets to prevent similar tragedies.
As the child begins her recovery, this case serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating consequences of neglect.
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