A serious case review examining the months leading up to the death of a toddler who died in Burton will be published today.
Ayeeshia Smith died at her home in Britannia Drive, Stretton, in May 2014. A trial at Birmingham Crown Court last year heard that her mother, Kathryn Smith, stamped on her daughter so hard it caused cardiac arrest.
Smith was jailed for a minimum term of 24 years which was later reduced to 19. Her then-boyfriend Matthew Rigby was jailed for 42 months after he was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of the toddler.
Ayeeshia, who originally lived in Swadlincote, had been under the care of Derbyshire County Council’s social services from birth due to the young age of her mother.
After Smith was jailed, social services came under the spotlight as it was revealed Ayeeshia had been removed and put into foster care when Smith failed to end her relationship with her violent boyfriend (not Rigby).
However, eight months later, Ayeeshia was sent to live with her mother again, despite concerns from the tot's foster mother who said the toddler was hungry after being with her mother for unsupervised visits.
The independent Derbyshire Safeguarding Children’s Board was later asked to investigate the social services interaction with Ayeeshia during her life and decide whether any more could have been done to stop her death.
The Burton Mail will bringing you interviews with representatives from the Royal Derby Hospital and Burton's Queen's Hospitals, as well as Chris Cook, who chaired the serious case review.
More updates to follow.
