Authorities 'missed opportunities' to help families of two murdered toddlers ... trends now
There were 'missed opportunities' and 'critical moments' where authorities could have helped the families of two toddlers who were murdered at home, a safeguarding review has revealed.
Maya Chappell, two, was subjected to frequent assaults and ultimately shaken to death by her mother's new boyfriend Michael Daymond, while he was angry over losing benefits. He was convicted of murder and her mother, Dana Carr, was convicted of allowing her death.
In a separate case Dwelaniyah Robinson, three, suffered severe burns and was beaten with a cane by his mother Christina Robinson, who was convicted of murdering him by violent shaking or an impact to the head. She claimed to be following teachings in the Bible by inflicting beatings on the youngster.
Both tragic child murders happened within three months of each other in 2022 and in the Durham County Council area.
Neither family were involved with social services prior to the murders.
The local authority has now completed a joint child safeguarding practice review to learn lessons from the 'deeply distressing cases.' Such reviews are often carried out when a child has died or come to serious harm.
Maya Chappell, two, was subjected to frequent assaults and ultimately shaken to death by her mother's new boyfriend Michael Daymond
In a separate case Dwelaniyah Robinson, three, was murdered by either violent shaking or head trauma
The independent report by social work consultant Suzy Kitching made nine recommendations and concluded there were 'a number of opportunities where additional support and services could have been offered' to both children's families.
The review identified two instances where the children's fathers raised concerns with police but these were not passed on to social services.
Maya's father expressed concerns about Daymond after he started living with the toddler and her mother Dana Carr, who was jailed for nine years for 'turning a blind eye' to the abuse.
He asked police if he had a history of domestic violence or child sex offences under 'Claire's Law' and 'Sarah's Law.'
Police contacted Carr by phone but officers then closed the matter because she claimed to be no longer in a relationship with Daymond, the report states.
It said: 'The decision to close the request, based solely on mother's self-report and no follow-up face-to-face visit, showed a limited understanding of the nature of intimate partner violence and abuse and its impact.
'It also prevented any further opportunity to collate details about mother's new partner and assess any risks through a Claire's Law disclosure.'
It added that 'whilst further safeguarding checks should have been progressed' by the force there was no suggestion that this failure contributed to Maya's death.
Previously Dwelaniyah's father had told police in
