Preston Davey, another baby P.

Whatever sentence the court hands down I'm sure it will be (unnofficially) supplemented by The New Prisoners Welcome Committee.

God help these two men.

I've no doubts at all that issues will come to light as the case is investigated more.
They always do, but lessons will be learned, as per usual.

Getting back to this case, there is no reason ( as yet) to believe that SS ignored evidence that the two men should not have been allowed to adopt. One was a teacher. Maybe there were some red flags that were ignored but we haven’t been given info on that. Obviously the focus is on what happened in the 4 months Preston was with them and the chain of events involving several hospital visits. But to think it’s as simple as because they were gay is simply not enough and in fact does all children in need a disservice.

The police have released videos of Preston with these two. The contrast in his eyes and demeanor living with them and the happy smiley baby he was before is unmistakable. Why did nobody see it when I can see it from watching a very short video online in the Daily Mail?

They were very clever at creating an illusion I think. Lots of expensive toys but no love and care for this poor little baby.

It’s sickening.

I wonder how thorough the vetting procedure was From what was reported they didn't seem to have much idea of what prospective parenthood would entail

Was this an adoption case?

Tuliptree

Primrose53

I was reading that the foster mother had a gut feeling that something was not right. She should have been listened to.
Her heart must be absolutely broken knowing what happened to Preston as she and her husband cared for him for months.

Social Services fall over themselves to be politically correct in deciding who can adopt children in care but I still believe that the child’s needs come before any of that PC rubbish which is all too prevalent nowadays.

There is no evidence that social services fall over themselves to be pc when deciding who can adopt. Absolutely none.

Some of us who have had direct dealings with social work would beg to differ when it comes to 'ticking the pc box'. I almost lost my GS because of sw failings.

I don’t think it’s anything to do with being gay, or lesbian (think baby Star). These people are out & out psychopaths. They are such good liars.
They must have been, to talk the Social works round.

Primrose53

I was reading that the foster mother had a gut feeling that something was not right. She should have been listened to.
Her heart must be absolutely broken knowing what happened to Preston as she and her husband cared for him for months.

Social Services fall over themselves to be politically correct in deciding who can adopt children in care but I still believe that the child’s needs come before any of that PC rubbish which is all too prevalent nowadays.

There is no evidence that social services fall over themselves to be pc when deciding who can adopt. Absolutely none.

I was reading that the foster mother had a gut feeling that something was not right. She should have been listened to.
Her heart must be absolutely broken knowing what happened to Preston as she and her husband cared for him for months.

Social Services fall over themselves to be politically correct in deciding who can adopt children in care but I still believe that the child’s needs come before any of that PC rubbish which is all too prevalent nowadays.

I cried and cried. It's just so shocking. I can't bear to read any further details. Bless this dear little baby.

Yet another tragic case. It makes harrowing reading but what distresses me as much as the actual cruelty is that nothing changes. I appreciate that many services are seriously stretched but all too often we read about the agencies being fobbed off with flimsy excuses from the parents. Wouldn't that, in itself, wave a red flag? Communication between those involved with monitoring a child seems non-existent. No one joins up the dots.
Admiral Grace Hopper said that the most dangerous in our language is 'We have always done it this way'. For me that phrase is 'Lessons will be learned' because they never are.

It would seem highly unusual though Iam64? That there was no history or other issues.

I cannot think too much about this beautiful little soul being tortured and killed it makes me weep.
Such utterly depraved and sadistic perversions are beyond heinous and as well as being locked up these evil individuals should be castrated. I believe men can be chemically castrated but I really don’t care how they do it.

In this case I would give the social workers a break.

Vetting of children for adoption can never get it right 100% of the time. There will be cases where everything looks hunky dory, but hides a sinister purpose not visible to the social worker and not showing in background checks. Paedophiles are usually highly manipulative people who know how to hide in full sight.

Conflicted about the information that the names of the Social Workers are now in the public domain.
Social Work is seriously depleted of staff. This is part of the 'over seeing' problem.

Yes, Iam64, that would be a good way of checking out prospective parents. And then be wary of people who had 'lost' their phones.

The senior police officer who led the investigation said they found no previous interest in sexually abusing children. Presumably the investigation included searching the history on their phones and laptops tops. It seems obvious a sexual interest in this infant started soon after placement. The physical damage they caused this baby over such a short period by sexually abusing him is horrific, they must have known this. As for the psychological and emotional damage, it’s hard to even think about.
If they didn’t set out to adopt with a view to a sexual play thing, it quickly became so. These things don’t happen without the couple sharing fantasies.

Yes, it should always be about the Child.

It is very complicated, I think in terms of safeguarding it is important to not shy away from things particularly when we have created these situations.
Lots of people on here will have experienced divorce, remarriage, or experienced their children divorcing, getting remarried. My comments about step parents etc may upset them but that doesn't make these statements any less true. And it isnt a comment on the rights and wrongs of divorce or step parents, it is about what safeguards we put in place for children.

I have only just read about it in The Times.. Poor little chap, how can anyone do that to a little baby? It's beyond anyone's comprehension.
Heartbreaking..

They deserve everything that will happen to them in the future, hopefully it will be painful.

Primrose, I know of a case where the adoptee boy requested a home with only women as he had had bad experiences with men in his birth family.
He chose a lesbian couple, and flourished .

Primrose - of course.We’ve both set out what we think. I thought that was how discussion went.

Tuliptree

As unspeakably dreadful as this case is, it’s wrong to use it to fuel homophobia when there is no evidence that gay couples are more likely to murder and sexually abuse their adopted children. In 2023 ( last year I could find figures) there were about 3000 adoptions , 1 in 5 of which were by same sex couples. 370 were adopted by male couples and 230 by female couples.. Of course this case must and will be investigated further but I think some of the comments about same sex adopters prejudiced and homophobic .

You think what you like and I’ll think what I like.

That beautiful baby had one of the most gorgeous smiley faces. To think he must have been unhappy and in pain in his short final months, like so many other innocent little souls is heartbreaking.