As well as all the grief for Jo can we also have some for Ellie

Again, I was saddened and tearful listening to yet more of the short life of this helpless child on R4 this morning. I wonder if the "Justices" had ever even met and spoken with this little girl, but merely accepted the recommendations of the social service workers. Hold any enquiry requested, can you just see the finger moving around the dial and eventually ending at 0.

Jo Cox and Ellie on same thread seems more than appropriate seems absolutely right. Mrs Cox fought for children all over the world.

I may be accused of burying my head in the sand but I CANNOT listen to the indescribable details of this case. The father got off" first time "on a legality? Is that right? I despair of the apparent victory of "legality " over sense and compassion and think not only the judge but all of the father/mother's legal team have the burden of blame. Truly sickening.

jingl it's heartbreaking.

I watched the video of Ellie's grandfather describing his relationship with her www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/21/ellie-butler-grandad-devastation-complete-neal-gray and actually sobbed. The private social workers (even though I have real concerns about their supervision and accountability) do seem to have had their hands tied by the judge's directions. The judge chose to ride roughshod over the concerns of the social services dept. and then refused to co-operate with the inquiry - I believe she should be professionally censured and that at the very least she should issue a personal apology to Ellie's grandfather.

The judge has retired , she ordered social services, police etc to keep out of the family's life,

This is absolutely heartbreaking. I cannot understand why a judge and judiciary can opt out of a serious case review. Where is the transparency? Why was the child's voice and wishes apparently not taken into consideration, as required under Children Act? I do not know what part private SWs played, but I am concerned that they do not have to comply with the inspection and legislation that applies to LA social workers. Each time a child dies the cry goes up that it must not happen again - but sadly it does.

It is truly heart breaking.

I thought the sentences were too lenient, especially the wicked mother. They were both evil, conniving monsters and as is always the case one wonders what the truth would be about the things they got up to that we will never know about.

I feel so upset for the grandparents who loved her so much.

Perhaps the parents had mental health problems !

I can't cope with the details of 'Ellie's' story either. I always find it hard but I have a much loved DGD with the same name and just can't imagine the differences in their two little lives.

The judge refused to listen to the experts

Listening to the grandfather on the radio this morning broke my heart. This is not the first case where it appears that some members of the judiciary appear to exist in a bubble, lacking all necessary compassion, wisdom and understanding. I hope, now that the grandfather's words to the effect that she would 'have blood on her hands' have come to pass, that she will feel some remorse, but I doubt it.

Anniebach

Was your post a serious question?

Do you believe they both 'may' have mental health issues?

no POGS I doubt it was a serious question, more an attempt at heavy handed sarcasm.

a heart breaking case.The parents were plausible and manipulative people, the father was angry and controlling it seems.

Rosesarered, please find the good manners not to speak for me ,

POGS, I don't know but it is possible, this doesn't excuse their brutality but red rage is a mental disorder as is a need to control , a person who is controlled can lose all sense of self, this is a fact, I have met women so controlled they are unable to make a normal day decision . Children have to be protected from such homes

Yes, I read about this case and it's absolutely tragic. Judges are human too and can make mistakes and I expect she is suffering at this news too.

I find all of these cases quite horrific. It is a real dilemma for the family courts and social workers. If you take the child away where do you place them? If you leave the child you are condemned for getting it wrong. If you take the child away from parents about whom an original mistake about abuse was proved false you are accused of interfering. Personally I would always err on the side of caution but the decision doesn't rest with me. Perhaps in all these cases when a child is brought to the attention of hospitals, doctors, teachers etc for even the most minor bruising after a court case it should be automatically followed up and the parents put on watch. You could also have the courts insist that the grandparents, if involved and caring, should have automatic legal rights to the child even to removing the child to a safe place if they think the child is still being abused.
But you are right Jinglbellsfrocks, we should pause and give due thought to the death of such a lovely child.

I understand that the court ordered SSD to remove their incriminating papers from the file; so even an accurate record went.

It is a very serious miscarriage of justice and I hope that there will be a full enquiry. I have huge sympathy for the grandparents whose views were so badly overridden.

The little mites school were not allowed to voice concerns because of the judges ruling

OMG I've just listened to Jeremy Vine on Radio2 and I'm in bits. They had the grandfather of little Ellie telling his story and I think that judge should be disbarred. Apparently her father was a convicted criminal and had been arrested for GBH and had beaten up previous girl friends etc., etc. It's such a heartbreaking tragedy. Why did the judge dismiss all the evidence against Ellie's father? I just don't understand it. If you are in any doubt as to the conviction - listen to this on Iplayer. Sorry, I'm so emotional thinking of what that innocent child went through.

How sad and heartbreaking. The UK signed up to the UN convention on Children's Rights and the judge should have been aware of this. this says
Right to be heard (article 12): every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This principle recognises children as actors in their own lives and applies at all times, throughout a child’s life. This means that when adults make decisions about a child’s life, the child should be asked what they think and feel and adult’s decision needs to take these into account. The Convention recognises that the level of a child’s participation in decisions must be appropriate to the child’s age and maturity.
It sounds as if Ellie knew quite well what she wanted. There should be some sort of action taken against this judge.

Agree with that post.

"Judges are human too and can make mistakes and I expect she is suffering at this news too."

I bloody hope she is.

Perhas enough to actually apologise? Although that, of course, won't give the little girl the rest of her life back.