It has been a week to reflect on a terrible tragedy which saw a toddler lose her live at the hands of her abominable mother which could easily have been avoided.
Little Ayeeshia-Jayne Smith was just 21 months old when she was stamped on so hard by her mother Kathryn Smith that it caused her heart to stop, causing injuries which were so severe they were similar to those of a victim of a car crash.
Smith, 24, was found guilty of murdering Ayeeshia and she must now serve a minimum of 19 years in jail.
What is shocking about this case is that even before Ayeeshia was born her mother was know to social services and their were concerns for the unborn baby's welfare. These concerns continued after she was born, right up until her death.
There is no doubt that our social workers do a very difficult job and their decisions have far reaching consequences. These decisions can mean the difference between life and death for some youngsters who, through no fault of their own, are born into the wrong families.
They are the children of feckless drug taking mothers such as Kathryn Smith who make poor parents as they put their own selfless needs above that of their defenceless children.
South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler has now added her voice to the outcry, saying it is truly shocking how many professionals were involved in Ayeeshia's short life.
Ayeeshia-Jayne Smith serious case review
It is the job of the authorities in these cases to protect children such as Ayeeshia. A serious case review into the authorities' dealing with the youngster found her needs were not always put first by professionals with much emphasis put on helping Smith deal with her problems.
The intentions were no doubt good - to help the family as a whole, but it was clear in this case that Ayeeshia's best interests would have been served by removing her from her mother and her boyfriend. Had she been put first she would have still been alive today, thriving and no about to set off on her first day at school.
