A woman in Cheshire has been jailed for seven and a half years after admitting to keeping her daughter hidden in a drawer for the first three years of her life. The child was malnourished, dehydrated, and severely developmentally delayed when discovered.
The court heard the girl had never been outside or interacted with others. She was fed only diluted Weetabix through a syringe and denied medical care for a cleft palate. When found, she had a developmental age of 0 to 10 months.
The child was discovered when the mother’s partner returned to the house unexpectedly and heard noises from a bedroom. Social services were called and found the child in a drawer under a divan bed.
Judge Steven Everett condemned the mother’s actions as “unbelievable,” saying the child had been treated as “not part of the family.” He described the neglect as “catastrophic” for the child’s physical and emotional development.
The mother, who cannot be named to protect the child’s identity, concealed the baby’s existence from her other children and partner. Prosecutors revealed she would leave the child alone while taking her other children to school or visiting relatives.
In interviews, the mother claimed she was unaware of her pregnancy and was scared after giving birth. She cited an abusive relationship with the child’s father, mental health issues, and the Covid-19 lockdown as factors behind her actions.
The child is now in foster care. Her foster carer reported that the girl did not recognize her own name when taken into care. Social workers described the mother’s attitude as emotionless when confronted about the situation.
Prosecutors said the child had been denied sunlight, fresh air, and any normal childhood experiences. The sentencing brings an end to a case described as one of profound neglect.
