Teenagers accused of neglecting baby

A TEENAGE couple who kept their new baby in appalling living conditions have been sentenced by the Magistrate’s Court.

The 19-year-olds were charged after police found rabbit droppings among the child’s toys, the heating set to full on a warm day, and the stench of faeces in the 16-month-old’s bedroom.

The couple, who live in St Clement, were told that they were at risk of having their daughter taken away from them. Each received 90 hours of community service. They admitted three charges of child neglect spanning from December last year until May. The court heard from Crown Advocate Robin Morris how police had been alerted to the couple’s poor living conditions by Children’s Services last December.

Advocate David Hopwood, defending the mother, said that the teenager was traumatised from her experiences as a youngster. She had suffered from post-natal depression, which had been undiagnosed and untreated. Advocate Michael Goulborn, defending the father, said that he desperately wanted to see his daughter remain at home and was willing to change his attitude and take greater responsibility for his daughter’s welfare. (from thisisjersey)

So did she get the help she needed?