How Could You? Hall of Shame-UK-Thomas Branchflower case-Child Death

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 Williton, UK, “a baby boy drowned while in foster care after being found in a rainwater trough in a back garden, his family said today.

Little 17-month-old Thomas Branchflower was found ”unresponsive” and later died, loved ones say.

They said he was found in the garden of his foster home in Williton, Somerset, and rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital’s intensive care unit where he died five days later.

An inquest has been opened into his death, with a full hearing to be heard at a later date once investigations have concluded.

Speaking today outside inquest proceedings, mum Tanya Branchflower said: “Thomas was in foster care.

”He was found unresponsive in an metal rainwater trough and was on life support.

‘He was very much loved and adored by us, his parents.”

Tanya said she and Thomas’ father were at their son’s bedside, and had spent several hours visiting him before his death.

Sheridan Farrow, Thomas’s grandmother, told Somerset Live that the family made the “difficult decision to allow organ donation and Thomas helped two other children have a chance for life”.

Somerset coroner Tony Williams confirmed that Thomas was pronounced dead on August 1[2020] and that an inquest had been opened on the same date.

He has recorded a preliminary cause of death as “hypoxic ischaemic brain injury secondary to drowning”.

He added: ”I can confirm that on July 27, 2020, Thomas had been found unresponsive in a water trough in Williton.

“Investigations are ongoing with regard to the circumstances of Thomas’s death and a full inquest hearing will be required in due course.”

Somerset County Council, which is responsible for children’s services, said it was unable to comment in detail until the inquest had concluded.

A spokesman said: “This is clearly a very tragic situation and we have offered our support to all those affected.””

Baby boy aged 17 months ‘drowned in back garden rainwater trough while in foster care’

[Mirror 11/20/2020 by Ollie Buckley and Kelly-Ann Mills]

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