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JAKE* WAS TWO-weeks-old when he died. His mother Jackie* and her family had been referred to the child and family agency, Tusla, during her pregnancy with Jake because of reported concerns about her drug use and the potential impact on her unborn baby.
There had been an earlier referral during Jackie’s previous pregnancies, but this was closed as no concerns were found to exist at that time. A number of professionals had been involved, including the social work department, the public health nurse, the maternity hospital’s antenatal clinic and a local addiction service.
Jackie had a history of heroin use and had been taking methadone for a number of years. During her previous pregnancies, Jackie had decreased her methadone intake in order to reduce its potential impact on her babies.
While carrying Jake, however, she was struggling with her addiction and screenings taken regularly during her pregnancy were positive for opiates. It was also reported that she was underweight and looked unwell. An incident of alleged neglect of her young child had also been reported.
The social work department made an initial decision that it did not have the resources to follow the referral up immediately but asked the public health nurse to call in. They reported that while Jackie seemed vulnerable and under pressure, her children were doing well.
A social worker made contact with Jackie seven weeks after the referral and eventually met her with her partner and children. This worker kept in regular contact, though the pregnant woman and her partner were resistant to social work contact, claiming that it was upsetting them and putting them under pressure.
High blood pressure
Jackie did minimise her opiate use. While the couple had good support from relatives in the area, neither extended family was aware of Jackie’s drug use and the couple were anxious this information should not be shared with family members.
Concerns remained over the following months as screenings continued to be positive for opiates and Jackie was admitted to hospital with high blood pressure. The baby was observed to be “hyper” and Jackie was agitated during her admission, requiring her methadone dose earlier than normal.
Two weeks before Jake’s birth, a child protection conference was held, attended by both parents. By this stage, Jackie’s regular screenings were negative for opiates and her attendance at clinics was consistent. A plan was included in the child protection conference minutes, including the decision to transfer the case to the further assessment team and address concerns related to the woman’s drug use.
There were also plans to make unannounced home visits to assess the family routine and structure and to provide support.
Two weeks later, Jake was born with a congenital defect and another two weeks later the baby boy died. The pathologist who conducted the post-mortem did mot mention maternal drug use in his findings.
‘Unacceptable slow’
A review of Jake’s case found that the initial response of the social work department, which took seven weeks to make contact with the family, was “unacceptably slow given the circumstances”.
However, it noted that once contact was established, the social worker was “diligent in her efforts to work with the family”.
The National Review Panel (NRP) said this case raises issues about the right of individuals to self-determination and the extent to which the State may intervene when it perceives an unborn child to be at risk.
“The social work department was not able to take any coercive action in this case, despite their serious concern for Jake’s health and welfare,” the report said.
It said the department had “little option but to encourage Jackie, as far as possible, to comply with the drug treatment service and the guidance of her medical advisors”.
The report recommended that Tusla promote the establishment of a nationwide drugs liaison midwife service. An expansion of the role of the drug liaison midwife was included in the government’s recently launched drug strategy, which will result in the creation of seven new midwife posts to assist pregnant women with addiction issues.
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I pass a methadine treatment clinic with clients on the street inebriated and intoxicated “in charge” of their own children.
Where is the limit of parental entitlement to child custody measured against the danger to the welfare of children in the custody of incapacitated children?
@Tony Daly: a male can be rightfully charged with injuring an unborn baby if he assaults the mother but in Ireland a woman can abuse and damage a child in her womb and not be charged.
@Michael Geraghty: isn’t he charged for assaulting the woman
@Francis Mc Carthy: Women don’t really count when it comes to pregnancy though, do they?
@Tony Daly: you need a license to have a dog……
@B9xiRspG: so true.
All kids should be taken off their junkie parents until they’re in a programme and clean .. feel so sorry for the kids . It’s no life for them watching their mother or father strung out and the kids fending for themselves .it’s not right .
@Suzie Sunshine: Totally agree with you, it’s sickening to see. I feel sorry for the life they currently lead and their future
@Negativebird: I agree, except with saying until they are clean. Children born into those awful circumstances have no hope. They are doomed. The only solution is taking them off them full stop and giving them to parents trying to adopt (and usually forced to go outside of Ireland to do so). However in Ireland like most countries, children’s rights come a far second to the parents rights.
@John B: and some are doomed before they are born. Autism and foetal alcohol syndrome etc because the mother takes drugs / drinks / doesn’t get proper nutrition during pregnancy.
I don’t judge these people but society has a responsibility to the children. The child’s welfare must come first – and I don’t believe an addict is a fit parent or a good influence.
@Martin Byrne: I agree with everything you’ve said apart from Autism ..
I’ve worked with kids that were born and immediately put on methadone it’s awful to see. Not only are they born with out choosing their own path in life but they are born with serious complications. Most will have foetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, growth deficiencies. The parents that have these children do not give a toss about them. All they care about is the children’s allowance and by god they’ll remember the day that comes in.
Has anyone ever stood outside the Coombe? Each and everyday you’ll see 20 women outside, the same ones everyday standing having their smoke!! It makes me sick. How was this woman not given immediate birth control? Junkies should be given the coil every 5 years.
@Nurse on call: I agree with everything you’re saying, but to compare a mother smoking with a mother addicted to heroin is wrong. Yes, both are wrong but the outcomes are *totally* different. Also, from being a new mother in Holles Street, I remember there were a few mums who had their first cigarette once the baby was born. They’re not all smoking while pregnant.
@Nurse on call: Addicts see the child as a pay cheque. A way to get more heroin. I agree that they should be forced to take birth control but then their “civil rights” will be infringed upon. Instead we’ll let them destroy the lives of innocent kids that the addict doesn’t care for. Its political correctness gone mad.
Stop wasting money and effort trying to save people who do not want to be saved.
@Pat Patovic: was the baby not worth saving?
@Diddily Dooooolan: Good question. Go and ask the mother of that baby. As far as I can see, she wasn’t interested.
This particular situation is a direct consequence of irish law where abortion is prohibited. In most of the other countries, addicts tend not to have babies as it interferes greatly with their poor choice of lifestyle. Here, on the other hand, they do not have choice so accidental pregnancies result with neglected children who for the most part just copy their parents behavior or with tragedies like this one.
So again. Is it worth trying to save someone who does not want to be saved?
@Pat Patovic: no link to abortion what so ever. If you don’t get pregnant no problems.
Why that headline, especially given the Journal’s earlier piece on social workers’ heavy workload?! You could just as easily have used “Social worker was diligent in her efforts to work with the family”… or one of the other more positive comments in the review
@maeve foreman: exactly nothing could be done to intervene legally before the baby was born in anycase as the article points out
Some of these keep getting chance after chance.
Rest in peace, child.
“There were concerns with earlier pregnancies but nothing could be done”. Well there’s your problem… drug addict pumping out kids and there is too much libtard red tape to allow the agencies remove the kids. Libtard response: “It’s the governments fault”. As harsh as it sounds addicts should be sterilised. They will use any child support from the social to pay drug dealers.
So sad all round. RIP little one x
Heroin addicts should be sterilised
@Dingleberrycity: There is a group who does that. They pay the women to be sterilised. Can’t remember the name…. sounds awful but it definitely has its merits.
@Dingleberrycity: Why stop there? Why not alcoholics who are far more prevalent? And smokers who won’t quit? People who smoke around their children are filth. I guess some addictions are more socially acceptable, despite causing more damage.
@DaisyChainsaw: smoking and drinking are both legal in this country…..maybe you think the law should be changed but until it is, maybe ease up on calling peoole ‘filth’”??
@Nurse on call: Do you have a report that links ADHD with drug use of mothers during pregnancy? Alcohol syndrome and growth defects are a given, but I don’t see the link for ADHD?
@Shannon Mcg: I anecdotally see ADHD and ASD. I’d be stunned if a connection hasn’t been proven or isn’t soon.
@Martin Byrne: there have been no links with ADHD in children and anything done by the mother during pregnancy. Neither with autism. It is not a symptom of anything, such as foetal alcohol syndrome which is solely caused by alcohol addicted mothers, but a disorder of its own accord. If anything, it is genetic like with other behavoural or mental disorders.
Those of us with ADHD are prone to becoming addicts ourselves if our disorder is not diagnosed and treated, but we are not created by addiction.
in social services. Both sides can make mistakes. does anyone remember the Lola Pearce storyline on eastenders??
@oliverjumelle: I remember when Fallon was abducted by aliens on The Colbys.
She should be charged with manslaughter at best, sterilized at least.
tax payers hard earned funds should not be wasted on this shit.
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