Murdered baby not seen enough, says care review

Professionals did not see a baby who was killed by his parents often enough, according to a safeguarding review.

Devaun Rose-Turner, who lived in a flat in Blunham Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, died four years ago after suffering a "catalogue" of injuries, a recent trial heard.

A review report stated Devaun's mother, Shandies Rose, and father, Emmanuel Turner, "prevented professionals" from seeing him.

The report said "agencies" highlighted concerns but "did not interpret their findings well enough".

Jurors heard how Devaun died when eight months old after paramedics were called to the family home on 11 December 2021.

Turner, 33, who worked as a sub-contractor for HM Passport Office, was on Wednesday found guilty of Devaun's murder after a trial at Luton Crown Court.

Rose, 29, a former children's nursery assistant who has a degree in early childhood studies, was found guilty of manslaughter.

Both were also convicted of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious injury.

They had both entered not guilty pleas and are due to be sentenced in February.

A review of professionals' involvement with Devaun was commissioned by senior staff at the Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, external - separately to the prosecution of Rose and Turner.

Jurors were not told about the review, which was completed in 2023, during Rose and Turner's trial.

A review report written by Dr Russell Wate, a former senior detective with Cambridgeshire Police, examined the involvement of health visitors, doctors and police.

The report explained how Devaun was born in hospital at the beginning of April 2021 and "discharged home" on 18 April.

Dr Wate indicated that a health visitor only saw Devaun once after he went home.

The report pointed to visits stopping after Turner complained that a health visitor had not completed Devaun's child health record - commonly known as the "red book" - correctly.

The report stated Devaun was not taken to medical appointments and that Bedfordshire Police "missed" an opportunity.

"An assessment was completed at the new birth visit, but [Devaun] was not then seen again by the health visitor due to the father making a verbal complaint about the health visitor," said the report.

"He stated that the health visitor had not completed the red book correctly."

Turner said the "ethnicity of baby and mobile contact details for parents were entered incorrectly", the report explained.

Rose and Turner had said they "could weigh Baby Devaun themselves and did not require health visitor's input".

Turner had said Devaun was "feeding well".

Dr Wate said a team leader had telephone discussions with Turner, and a team manager offered to visit - but that suggestion was refused by Turner.

"[The] baby's wellbeing was considered, but there is a lack of focus on the lived experience of [Devaun] as there was no potential for visual interaction, assessment of the parent/child relationship, or their development," said Dr Wate.

"All reports were reliant on father's reporting of his wellbeing."

Dr Wate added: "[Devaun] was not seen frequently enough.

"The parents prevented professionals from seeing [Devaun] by not bringing him to health appointments, and following the complaint, the refusal to allow a health visitor to visit and be actively involved in [his] life.

"Agencies, although rightly highlighting concerns, did not interpret their findings well enough."

Dr Wate said Devaun, and his mother, were seen by a GP when the little boy was 12 weeks old.

The GP had noted that Rose was "attentive" and Devaun's development was "normal".

Turner had "joined the appointment" via Rose's telephone.

Dr Wate said the GP was "concerned" about Turner's behaviour during the interaction.

He said the GP had concerns about "possible coercive control".

Dr Wate said Bedfordshire Police, external had also recognised that officers missed an "opportunity" about a month before Devaun died.

He said a neighbour reported "arguing, thuds and a baby crying" in the early hours of the 11 November 2021 - and police had visited.

Rose and Turner said there was "no argument" and told police they were "dealing with a teething baby".

"There are no signs of concern noted by the officers and the log is closed," said Dr Wate.

"It is not believed that [Devaun] was seen by officers and no contact was made with the neighbour to consider triangulating the information."

He added: "Bedfordshire Police have for this review recognised this is a missed opportunity.

"Neighbours were not visited, which might have offered further information on the family and insight into Baby Devaun's lived experience."

Dr Wate said Turner had no previous convictions but there was a "record of arrests", between 2012 and 2020, relating to "offences of harassment, stalking and assault".

He said all this incidents appeared to be "domestic-related" and involving a relative and previous partner.

Dr Wate said all those "matters" were "no further action".

Jurors heard that Rose had worked at the Roof Top Nursery, Dalston Lane, Hackney, east London, before moving to Biggleswade.

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