Jacob Crouch: NSPCC 'gravely concerned' over number of children dying at hands of their parents
The ten-month-old's step-dad has been convicted of his murder.
The UK's leading children's charity say they're gravely concerned at the number of children dying at the hands of their parents.
It's after Craig Crouch was found guilty of murdering 10-month-old Jacob Crouch in Linton near Swadlincote in December.
Jacob's mum Gemma Barton, was cleared of murder, but convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child.
The pair will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court tomorrow (Friday).
Helen Westerman's from the NSPCC and has been telling us cases like this are far too common;
"Jacob was one of 36 children who died in England following abuse and maltreatment at home in 2020 alone.
"So we know that very young children are particularly vulnerable to abuse, because there are completely reliant on their parents/guardians around them to give them care and protection
"Frontline workers found it hard to reach some vulnerable children, as a result of the lockdown and some children were trapped at home with their abusers.
"But that in no way excuses the actions of Jacob's mother and stepfather, who are ultimately responsible for his death".
"We welcome the government's vision to reform social care, with a focus on stable loving home, with an intent to finally get things right.
"At the same time, there needs to be much more of a commitment for substantial national investment, and a reform programme which is delivered much more quickly".
During the trial, Barton told Derby Crown Court that she did not inflict the injuries that killed her son, nor did she see them inflicted by anyone else.
As well as denying ever harming her son, Barton said she "can't remember seeing" any of the 19 visible bruises on Jacob's body at the time of his death.
The trial previously heard from medical experts that blunt force trauma was the only plausible explanation for the bowel injury, which led to a fatal infection.
Barton, of Heanor, and Crouch, of Moira, will be sentenced on Friday.