How Could You?Hall of Shame-Scotland-Helen Smith

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 Kinglassie, Fife, Scotland, foster carer Helen Smith,53, “is accused of a catalogue of abuse against two girls, said to be aged four and six when the alleged four-year campaign of attacks began.

Prosecutors say the pair were both burned with a hot spoon, while one is said to have her head forced underwater while she was in the bath. The other girl is alleged to have been dragged down stairs by her hair and beaten with a hairbrush.

Smith also faces a charge of “wilfully exposing the children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering” by forcing them to remain outside in cold weather without adequate clothing.

She is also said to have withheld adequate food and nourishment from them for long periods.

In court papers, the Crown say the two girls had been placed in Smith’s care under a fostering agreement with a local council.

Smith, 53, of Kinglassie, Fife, pleaded not guilty on indictment to three charges of assault and one of wilfully ill-treating children allegedly committed between February 2008 and December 2012.

Defence solicitor Iain McCafferty told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court: “The defence are in a position to continue this to trial.””

Sheriff Grant McCulloch continued the case to a jury trial sitting beginning next week.

 

Foster carer accused of abusing two young children/ [STV 4/20/16 by Jenny Thomson]

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