6. Grounds for the application
The Local Authority submits that the statutory threshold criteria as set out in Section 31(2) and Section 38(2)
of the Children Act, 1989 are met in respect of the child, Alice Elaine Smith (born on 8th February 2010).
At the time that protective measures were taken, that date being 16th January 2014, there are reasonable
grounds for believing that the child was suffering, or was likely to suffer, significant harm, in the form of
physical and emotional neglect, and that the harm, or likelihood of harm, is attributable to the care given to
the child, or likely to be given to her if the order were not made, not being what it would be reasonable to
expect a parent to give her.
1. The Local Authority refers to proceedings numbered PL09C012345, wherein findings were made that S
(full sibling to Alice) suffered bruising to his face and that the injuries sustained by S were found to have
been inflicted by Mr Jacob Donahue (father to S and Alice) and the mother, Carole Smith, failed to protect S,
partly as a result of her Heroin dependence. S adopted.
2. Mr Donahue has a previous conviction for assaulting a child. Mr Donahue is currently serving a four year
prison sentence at HMP Dartmoor for assaulting his partner. Miss Smith’s relationship with Mr Donahue
ended in approximately October 2010.
3. On 8th February 2010 Alice was born showing signs of drug withdrawal.
4. In August 2011 Miss Smith formed a new relationship with Mr Treadwell and they began to cohabit.
Maternal grandparents reported that Mr Treadwell and Miss Smith were misusing illegal substances and Mr
Treadwell was violent towards Miss Smith. Family well known to the Police because of concerns about drug
dealing and domestic abuse.
5. In January 2012 Mr Treadwell was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to a neighbour and
possession of Heroin with intent to supply. Sentenced to 3 years in prison.
6. On 30th April 2013 initial Child Protection Conference. Police report that Alice (aged 3) was playing
unsupervised in a park near her home on two occasions after 7pm without shoes on. Alice said she was
hungry and appeared reluctant to return home. When returned home by the Police, Mr Treadwell commented
that ‘the little bugger was always running off’.
7. Mr Treadwell refused to co-operate with family support services offered (May/June 2013); verbally abusive
the family support worker (appointment terminated) and encouraged Miss Smith not to co-operate. Alice was
observed by the family support worker to seek little attention from her parents; keen to kiss and cuddle the
worker; often in her pyjamas with dirty feet and overgrown toenails. No toys seen.
8. 29th June 2013 Child Protection review. Health Visitor assessment indicates that Alice’s speech and
language is delayed by about 12 months.
9. 1st July 2013. Alice missed an appointment for corrective eye surgery for her squint. If this operation is not
carried out within the next 18 months, the condition will not be correctable. In October 2013 Alice failed to
attend a re-arranged appointment.
10. August 2013. Miss Smith confides in play scheme worker that Mr Treadwell assaulted her the previous
evening in front of Alice.