The Local Authority v The Mother & Ors

Facts

These care proceedings concerned G, a young toddler boy, in respect of whom the local authority issued an application for a care order on 29 January 2026 under the Children Act 1989. In January 2026 the father took G to hospital after the parents contacted the GP that morning reporting that G seemed "to have woken up with his left arm hurting and unable to use it for normal play or movement without it hurting". Doctors observed swelling over the left elbow joint, though an initial x-ray was inconclusive; further x-rays two days later revealed a minimally displaced humeral fracture, and G was transferred to another hospital because of concerns about septic arthritis. A child protection medical report recorded an unexplained metaphyseal fracture to the lateral condyle of the left humerus and raised concerns about the parents' sleeping arrangements, G's bed having no sides. Following a strategy meeting the police arrested both parents; each denied causing any injury and both were released on bail. The local authority sought findings that the fracture was inflicted and that the father was responsible, with a fallback allegation of inadequate supervision. The case, initially allocated to HHJ Pates, was reallocated to HHJ Hesford for a fact-finding hearing held remotely at the parents' request.