Mother jailed for hiding baby in drawer under bed for three years

A mother has been sentenced to jail for keeping her baby concealed in a drawer under her bed for three years. The shocking case came to light when the child was discovered just weeks before her third birthday at their home in Cheshire. The child was found with matted hair, deformities, and rashes, as revealed in Chester Crown Court. The court heard that the mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, kept the baby hidden from her siblings by storing her in the drawer of her divan bed. She also kept the child a secret from her partner who frequently stayed at the residence.

During sentencing, Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett condemned the mother’s actions, stating that she had deprived the little girl of love, affection, proper care, and medical attention. The judge described the consequences of the mother’s actions as catastrophic, impacting the child physically, psychologically, and socially. Despite the mother’s efforts to conceal the child, her secret was uncovered by chance, leading to the child’s rescue.

Prosecutors revealed that the child was confined to the drawer in the bedroom without interaction with others or exposure to the outside world. The child’s development was severely stunted, showing the age of zero to 10 months when she was initially taken to the hospital. The child was reportedly malnourished, dehydrated, and left alone at various times while the mother tended to her other children or went to work.

The child’s plight was discovered when the mother’s partner found her in a bedroom drawer after she had left the house. Social services were alerted, and the child was rescued from her confinement. The mother, in her interview with authorities, claimed she was unaware of her pregnancy and expressed fear upon giving birth. She said the child was not always kept in the drawer and was not considered part of the family.

The court considered various factors, including the mother’s mental health issues, tumultuous relationship with the child’s father, and the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown. Despite her tears in court, the mother admitted to four counts of child cruelty, reflecting her failure to seek medical care for the child, abandonment, malnourishment, and neglect.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Rachel Worthington expressed hope for the child’s recovery and emphasized the paramount importance of bringing the responsible individual to justice. The mother’s guilty plea to the charges highlighted the severe neglect and harm inflicted on the child during her formative years. The court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the duty to protect and care for the most vulnerable members of society.

In summary, the harrowing case of the mother hiding her child in a drawer under her bed for three years has shed light on the enduring impact of neglect and abuse on innocent lives. The child’s resilience and road to recovery serve as a testament to the importance of early intervention and protection for all children. Such cases underscore the critical need for vigilance, compassion, and support to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable individuals in our communities.