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KAREN SPENCER - REPORT TO DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND DERBYSHIRE AREA HEALTH AUTHORITY - ENGLAND

NCJ Number
60385
Author(s)
J D MACCLEAN
Date Published
1978
Length
67 pages
Annotation
A DETAILED NARRATIVE DESCRIBES THE MANAGEMENT OF A CASE IN WHICH A BATTERED CHILD EVENTUALLY DIED FROM INJURIES INFLICTED BY THE MOTHER.
Abstract
AT THE INSTIGATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED INTO THE CASE OF KAREN SPENCER IN ORDER TO RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS IN HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES AND ASSIST SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS. THE REPORT IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH 21 WITNESSES AND EXAMINATION OF AVAILABLE WRITTEN MATERIAL FROM THE ENTIRE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND INVESTIGATION. WHEN KAREN SPENCER WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD, SHE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BY HER MOTHER AND PLACED IN FOSTER CARE. AFTER A YEAR DURING WHICH THE BABY SPENT SHORT PERIODS OF TIME AT HOME, KAREN WAS RETURNED TO HER PARENTS. WITHIN 2 WEEKS SHE WAS ASSAULTED AGAIN BY THE MOTHER AND DIED. THE MOTHER WAS CHARGED WITH MURDER, CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER WITH DIMINISHED RESPONSIBILITY, AND PLACED ON PROBATION UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE WIFE HAD BEEN ABUSED BY THE HUSBAND, HAD LIMITED INTELLIGENCE, AND WAS EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE. LIVING ACCOMODATIONS WERE CRAMPED AND INCONVIENTLY ARRANGED FOR CHILD CARE. EXAMINATION OF THE CASE UNCOVERED SEVERAL ISSUES, SUCH AS RECORDING PRACTICES BY CASEWORKERS, SUPERVISION BY VARIOUS AGENCIES, TRAINING PROGRAMS, THE OFFICIAL GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CASE CONFERENCES. THE STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT THE LOCAL REGISTER OF NONACCIDENTAL INJURY CASES WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND NEEDED REVISION. A SPECIALIST IN CHILD ABUSE COULD BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS. RESEARCH INTO KAREN SPENCER'S CASE REVEALS THE LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME, SKILL, AND GENUINE CONCERN THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS DEVOTE TO ASSISTING A FAMILY, ALTHOUGH, IN THIS CASE, ALL SEEM TO HAVE MISSED THE FACT THAT THE MOTHER'S IMMATURE PERSONALITY LEFT HER UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE STRESSES OF HER SITUATION. THE APPENDIXES PROVIDE MATERIALS ON THE ENQUIRY AND THE TEXT OF GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH NONACCIDENTAL INJURY TO CHILDREN. (MJM)