T (A Child: Traumatic Injuries), Re

Facts

The two children at the centre of these care proceedings are brothers, both under three, referred to as 'O' and 'T'. Against a background of parental domestic abuse, drug misuse and poor mental health, 'T' was presented to hospital by ambulance on 7 December 2025, aged three months, with swelling to the left temporal region. A CT scan revealed extensive soft tissue swelling and fractures through both parietal bones and the occipital bone; an MRI on 9 December 2025 showed multifocal trauma, a left-sided subdural haematoma, a left temporal contusion and a left parietal encephalocele, with right-sided dural calcification suspicious of an earlier intracranial haemorrhage; a skeletal survey on 10 December 2025 revealed old healed left distal radial and ulnar fractures. The treating team considered the mother's account inadequate to explain the injuries and she was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The Local Authority issued proceedings on 15 December 2025, interim care orders were made and both children were placed in interim local authority care. Both parents denied causing the injuries. The court directed independent expert evidence from a neuroradiologist, a paediatric neurosurgeon, a paediatric radiologist and a consultant paediatrician, and listed a fact-finding hearing, heard over 10 to 18 August 2026, to determine whether the injuries were inflicted and by whom.