Man and woman charged after young child found ‘close to death’

The pre-school child's condition could have been fatal, a report found.

2nd Feb 2022

A man and a woman have been charged in connection with child protection offences after a pre-school child was found close to death.

The child’s condition was brought to the attention of Police Scotland by a member of the public extremely concerned by their “deathly” pale appearance.

Officers visited a home in Perth and Kinross where the child, known as Child B, lived.

Child B needed urgent medical attention. They were admitted to hospital with severe anaemia, an extensive headlice infection and teeth which were decayed and described as “stumps”.

Child B needed urgent treatment with a blood transfusion and further ongoing treatment with vitamins, iron and to eradicate the headlice infection in the weeks that followed.

An Initial Child Protection Case Conference (ICPCC) found that, without intervention, Child B’s condition could have been fatal.

A significant case review (SCR) was carried out but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The SCR was completed in June 2021 and made 16 recommendations to improve procedures following what it described as “missed opporunities” for earlier intervention.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A man, aged 36 years, and a 37-year-old woman have been charged in connection with child protection offences.

“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed it had received a report but that the pair had not appeared in court yet.