Unexplained fractures and now starting care proceedings

[Zimbo92]

So, to start off with on the 22nd of February we called 111 to find out if we need to take our son the hospital as he had very bad green stool with flecks of blood in, we become very concerned about his well-being. They advised it was probably a viral infection and just to go to the GP the next week should we still be concerned



We then took our son to the local GP on the 28th of February to see what the cause of the bad nappy could be. Upon the appointment at the local GP she did ask about the bruise on his forehead and we explained to her that is was from him head butting me during burping which she was satisfied with. We were then referred to children’s hospital for a check-up to do with the stool as he was so young

When we got the Children's A&E and went in for the triage before seeing the doctors and at this point, we made them aware that the bruise on his left side of his head was from him head butting myself one night when I was burping him on my shoulder. We then went in to see the doctors and they did an external exam of our son and they asked about the bruise on his head and we told them what is was from and they said that was a possibility for that to happen in babies. Then we were asked to wait in the waiting room, which we did then a doctor came out and said they had done a background check on us with social services at this point but there was nothing to worry about and we were given stool sample pots for our son for testing, should we still be concerned, which we took and went home. Our son was not passing stool everyday so we had to wait for him to go to the loo by this stage it was the weekend and the local GP open over the weekend for us to drop of the sample so we did not do the stool sample for the hospital, as his stools had returned to normal.
So, to start off with on the 22nd of February we called 111 to find out if we need to take our son the hospital as he had very bad green stool with flecks of blood in, we become very concerned about his well-being. They advised it was probably a viral infection and just to go to the GP the next week should we still be concerned



So the following Thursday 5th of March Our son was due a check-up at the local GP at 11am so as I was getting him dressed I noticed a very small bruise on his left leg and asked my wife if she knew of it but she said not that she noticed it. My wife did tell the GP when at the appointment that both her and our daughter bruise very easily too. They then said that we need to go back to the the childrens hospital as we did not know how the bruise came about so they were concerned about the platelet count / blood clotting disorder in our son which needs to be done back in the Children’s Hospital.

So again, we left for Children’s Hospital to have the blood test done to check the platelet count on our son. We went through the triage process again and again explained that we do not know how he got the bruise and that our local GP has sent us in for the Platelet count to be done.



Upon going in for the blood tests to be taken I went in with him to help the doctors while they took blood at this point, they said that if the results come back normal they will be admitting us to hospital to do a head CT and full skeletal scan. On Thursday the 5th we were admitted to Children’s Hospital and my wife stayed the night.

The first night, they did the CT scan of Our sons head and that come back clear with nothing to be worried about. On the Friday 6th while in hospital they came and did the skeletal scan at 3:00pm and we were told that it will take a while to get the results back. Upon the results coming back they said that there were some fractures on his ankle and top of leg so they will need us to explain how he could have got the injuries.

Before this, I went home with my daughter. We got home around 6:30pm. Then I received a call from my wife saying that Social Services will be coming to the hospital and that they need both of us there. I then had to put our daughter back in the car and drive back to the hospital.

s I got the hospital, I met the Social Services on my wayin They said that I must go into the room with my wife and that they will be back to chat with us. By this stage my wife had called her stepdad telling them what was going on and they said they are getting in the car and coming straight to us. So, by the time I got the hospital My wife’s stepdad) arrived about 10mim after me.



I was then asked to take our daughter to another room so that they could chat to us, which I did and then when she had settled down with a social services worker I went back to the room with my wife and son.

We were met with 4 social services & 2 police officers as well as the nurse on duty for the night.

They then asked a series of questions and the outcome was that my wife and I were told that we had to be have someone (wifed stepdad and Fiance) to supervise us at all times with the kids.

They had to ask the nurse for the second person, as well as one of us to stay the night to watch over our son and then the same for our daughter. This was accommodated for 2 nights, and refused on the last night due to hospital policy.



our son was meant to have the second skeletal scan in about two weeks from the time they did the first one.

Both the nurse and Social Services said that our son had another set of blood tests to be done on the Saturday (7th) that we would be able to be discharged from the hospital to go home with wife stepdad to XXXX, until the second set of scans had been done so they can determine on how the fractures could have happened to our son and go from there.

However, we had to stay in hospital until the Monday (9th) as the team doing the blood tests were not in at the weekend. We were then discharged on Monday 9th late evening.



So, from the 9th of march we have been living between wife stepdad and wife’s Godmother houses with social services knowing where we are at all times.



Our son had his second skeletal on Monday 23rd, of which we were only told the results yesterday( 2nd April). he has 2 fractures to the top and bottom of his left leg.

We have now been advised that due to the nature of the unexplained injuries, they will need to start care proceedings.

We are devastated as we don’t know how the injuries could’ve happened other than at birth. It was a very difficult c section birth. Our son hasn’t been in visible pain or inconsolable screaming. Our kids are know going to be placed away from us with family hopefully.

We have never had any issues with our daughter and she’s 2 and half. No drug or alcohol abuse. Stable jobs.

Are we likely to be able to get our kids back?

[Noname]

Had similar situation here.
Did they done any test for vitamin D?
Mum had low vitamin D during pregnancy?

I'm on same here. Be strong !! I'm still fighting. Be cooperative. It's a nightmare but you lucky your kids are with you. Mine is on foster and can't see her due to covid 19.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Zimbo92,

Welcome to the Parents Forum. I am Suzie, FRG’s adviser.

I am sorry to hear about your son's injuries. I can also see how difficult things have been for your family over the last few weeks.

You have now been told that there will be care proceedings in respect of your children. This means children's services are applying to court to request an order, such as an interim care order, that gives legal parental responsibility to them so they can make decisions about your children.

Children’s services will be worried that you have given no explanation about how the leg fractures could have occurred. They will be concerned that the injuries may have been caused deliberately.

During care proceedings, there can be a “fact finding” hearing. This is where the judge will hear the evidence from you and mum and any other relevant witness and from expert witnesses such as paediatricians.
The child protection resource has useful information about how the courts deal with cases when there are concerns about possible non- accidental injury.

While the court proceedings are ongoing, the court may want your children to live away from you and mum. So it is important that any family and friends are assessed to take care of them. If there are no suitable family then your children may go into an unrelated foster care placement.

The court case will usually takes up to 26 weeks but may take longer as this case is complex.
Here is information about care proceedings and here are some FAQ’s about care .

I suggest you ask for a family group conference to be arranged. This is to look for support within your friend and family network.

You and mum will be entitled to separate legally- aided solicitors. Please look for a solicitor who has experience of cases involving allegations of non- accidental injury.

Parents accused has information about this type of case on their website.

I hope my advice helps. If you need further advice from me or support from other parents on the board, please post again.

Or call our advice line for free and confidential advice on 0808 801 0366.

Best wishes,
Suzie

[P364]

In what feels like a living nightmare I'm in a similar situation. What was the resolution for you?

[benion]

Many years ago I was a junior doctor in A&E (1 year) and paediatrics (4 months). I stress the word junior....I am not going to pretend to be some expert. We are going back to 2002-2003 here, so I have forgotten a lot.

I concur with "Noname" that Vit D levels MUST be obtained. In addition, I would say that there is a possibility of osteogenesis imperfecta AKA brittle bone disease. Often babies with this have a slight blue tinge to the whites of the eyes.

The other possibility is that it is NAI. You need to think back very carefully as to who has been around the baby...

Good luck

[KatKat10]

I remember a high profile case a few years ago, concerning a child that had unexplained bruises and possible fractures. The parents were treated as criminals, the child was examined and assessed and they still came to the conclusion the parents were the culprits. Eventually, the child was seen by yet another specialist, but as I recall they discovered a rare medical disorder with the child which explained the bruises and other factors. The parents were found not guilty of inflicting harm on their child, but it took them a very long time.
For the life of me I do not recall the name of the case, but a search on the net may help.

I heard a story once, where a social worker went into a hospital room where a child was in bed and she put make-up on the child to make it look like bruises and took pictures. What the SW was not aware of, was the CCTV in the hospital room. I am sure there was a media article about this.
I raise all scratch's and bruises that I see on my children during contact sessions, to ensure they are noted on the reports and the SW is made aware.
KK10