P (A Child) (Interference with Medical Equipment)

Facts

P was born in 2024 with serious medical issues and, following an acute deterioration in July 2024, was diagnosed with a severe life-limiting condition requiring prolonged intensive care and continuous intravenous medication through an infusion line. He had been an in-patient at a hospital forming part of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust from 6 January 2025. Between 29 January and 5 February 2025 a series of incidents occurred: on 29 January the medication line was found cleanly cut; on 4 February it was found disconnected shortly after the mother left P's bedspace; and on 5 February it was again found disconnected while neither parent was present. The hospital made a safeguarding referral on 30 January 2025, raising concerns of tampering and of fabricated or induced illness, and both parents were arrested on 10 February 2025 on suspicion of attempted murder and child neglect. The local authority issued care proceedings on 31 March 2025 and an interim care order was made on 23 April 2025. A further disconnection occurred on 1 November 2025 during the mother's supervised contact. This fact-finding hearing was listed to determine the allegations, all of which the mother denied.