A renewed push for transparency in family courts has brought to the public eye a deeply unsettling case involving allegations of child abuse.
As journalists gain access to previously confidential hearings, disturbing details have emerged from a case in Reading Family Court.
A father stands accused of endangering his newborn son, allegedly searching online for ways to cause disability in a bid to claim additional government benefits.
Alarming Discovery Sparks Investigation
The case surfaced when the infant was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital with a fractured shin.
His mother, in a panicked 999 call, pleaded for emergency assistance, claiming, “My husband kill my newborn baby, please help me.”
According to police reports, she accused the father of violently shaking the baby, causing him to stop breathing and turn blue.
Court documents reveal further disturbing details.
The mother alleged that while she was breastfeeding, the father snatched the baby away, declaring that the child did not “deserve the milk.”
She claimed he threatened to throw the baby against a wall and shook him aggressively until he turned blue.
Father Denies Allegations, Suggests Mother is Unstable
The father, who was arrested and later bailed, denied all accusations, asserting that his wife was “stressed or depressed” and prone to fabricating stories.
In a statement, he countered with claims that she bullied him, called him names, and even physically chastised their children.
However, court records indicate that the mother had previously seen the father conducting online searches on how to cause disability in a child.
She believed he was deliberately harming their son to induce brain damage, allegedly with the motive of receiving increased financial support from the government.
Child Protection Measures and Medical Findings
Authorities, including social services and medical professionals, stepped in to assess the situation.
During a fact-finding hearing, Dr. Patrick Cartlidge testified that the baby’s shin fracture was “most likely caused non-accidentally.”
While violent shaking was one possible cause, he noted that rough handling—such as aggressively changing a nappy—could also result in such injuries.
In light of these allegations, the local authority implemented protective measures, citing significant risk to the children.
The court weighed two possibilities: either the baby had suffered severe physical harm at the hands of the father, or the children were enduring emotional harm due to false accusations made by the mother.
Custody Battle Intensifies
The court-appointed guardian for the children recommended placing them in foster care, a move that the mother strongly opposed.
However, with both parents under scrutiny—after the mother was also included in the pool of possible perpetrators—the case has raised serious concerns about the well-being of the children.
What’s Next?
The court proceedings continue as the judge determines whether the threshold criteria for child protection intervention have been met.
This decision will influence whether the children remain with their mother or are placed in foster care.
Meanwhile, this case underscores ongoing concerns about how family courts handle allegations of child abuse, especially in light of high-profile cases like the tragic murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.
As the transparency project sheds light on more such cases, the legal system faces mounting pressure to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children caught in custody battles and abuse allegations.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn