An "incredibly emaciated" baby, covered in sores, was admitted to hospital in a critical condition 19 days after her social services case was closed, according to a review.
The 19-month-old girl, referred to as Child K1, weighed 9.7lb (4.4kg) when she received treatment in February 2025. This weight is less than half the 24lb (11kg) expected for an average child of her age.
A Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, reported that Child K1 was severely dehydrated, had no fatty tissue, and displayed "paper-thin skin". Expert reviewer Nicki Walker-Hall stated that medics found "wasting to the buttocks" and open pressure sores.
The case was closed despite warnings that the mother, who was 17 when the baby was born, was neglecting her daughter and had avoided social workers and health visitors for weeks. The review identified "learning points", including a need for practitioners to be "more curious" about the child's daily experience.