Agencies cleared on abduction death

The murder of a 14-year-old girl by her father could not have
“reasonably been foreseen or prevented by any agency”, according to
a serious case review published last week.

Carry Ann Brown, who had a learning difficulty, died last August
after her father abducted her from foster carers employed by
Blackburn with Darwen social services and then deliberately crashed
the car they were in.

Sean Brown, who was given a life sentence at Preston Crown Court
for murder and unlawful sexual intercourse last month, committed
the act to try and conceal the fact he made his daughter
pregnant.

Social workers had become aware that Brown was sleeping in the same
bed as his daughter and had advised him to stop, although he
claimed it was necessary because she had fits.

Social services placed Carry Ann with the foster carers after
discovering she was pregnant and suspecting Brown was the father. A
few days later the pregnancy was terminated.

The report, commissioned by Blackburn with Darwen area child
protection committee, says it would have been difficult to ensure
that Brown had stopped sleeping with his daughter because further
evidence was needed and Carry Ann had made no allegation of sexual
abuse.

Among other things, clearer guidance for social services and police
about how to manage contact visits for children in care who have
been abused by parents is needed, says the report written by former
Trafford Council social services director Ian Rush.

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