How Could You? Hall of Shame: Ireland-Case Review

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Ireland, adoptive parent and “[r]esearch scientist Dr Jill Newcombe-Buley, 45, punched, slapped and smothered the [three] children in a reign of terror which started soon after they were placed with her and her husband, Dr Nicholas Newcombe, 43, at their former home in Prestbury, Cheshire. She also stamped on one child with a stiletto heel and hit one over the head with a dustbin lid.

Newcombe-Buley was jailed for four years in October after she admitted child cruelty while her husband, who pleaded guilty to neglect after he did not report his wife, was given a 12-month suspended sentence.”

“A report ordered by Cheshire East Local Safeguarding Children Board has concluded there had been “many missed opportunities” to detect the abuse and that the couple should never have been allowed to adopt the children – referred to as Child B, C and D.”

“The conclusion of this Serious Case Review was that at various stages over the 10 years, the abuse was both predictable and preventable. Had the appropriate actions been taken, the abuse may have been detected, and the children helped to disclose, much earlier.”

Red Flags
The “adoption process conducted by Stoke-on-Trent Social Services was “flawed” due to a number of factors such as the couple having never lived together, questions about their commitment due to work pressures and their complete lack of experience around children.

“The adoption panel allowed itself to be sucked into the attractiveness of the fact that these applicants were offering a rare and highly sought after commodity – a willingness to take a sibling group of three,” he said.”

Damning report into child cruelty
[Belfast Telegraph 7/21/11]

“The appalling treatment, which started soon after they were referred for adoption by Stoke-on-Trent social services in November 1999, came to light in March 2009 when one of the children, referred to as B, told a social worker.

But, instead of investigating the case, the boy was told to go home and, not wanting to kick up a fuss, he complied with their request.

That September he was admitted to hospital after being assaulted by another youth and again raised his concerns but was again told to go home by a social worker.

However, a consultant paediatrician heard the child’s complaints.”

“Chris Brabbs, author of a report by a serious case review panel came to the ‘inescapable conclusion is that the children were badly let down by all four schools who failed to record, or act on, their direct observations of a number of indicators of possible physical neglect and/or emotional abuse’.”
Police, social services and schools ‘failed three children who suffered 10 years of abuse at hands of adoptive parents’
[Daily Mail 7/21/11]

REFORM Puzzle Piece