Preston Davey Review ‘Should Include Second Murdered Baby’

Preston Davey review should include second – Two tragic cases of toddler abuse have drawn renewed scrutiny on the actions of Blackpool Victoria Hospital, which failed to detect critical signs of harm in both incidents. The hospital, central to the investigation into the death of Preston Davey, is now being called to account for its oversight in the case of Damion Russell, another child whose life was tragically taken by his father. The calls for a broader inquiry highlight systemic gaps in child protection practices, with advocates urging authorities to ensure no stone is left unturned in the search for answers.

The Cases of Preston Davey and Damion Russell

Preston Davey, a 13-month-old boy, was murdered by his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, a Blackpool high school teacher, on 27 July 2023. His death followed months of physical and sexual abuse, which Varley concealed by presenting a misleading video to medical staff. This video, shown to the hospital team during Preston’s final visit, depicted what Varley claimed were accidental injuries, though it was later revealed to have been recorded 12 days prior. The incident sparked public outrage, prompting an independent review of how agencies responded to the case.

Meanwhile, Damion Russell, a two-year-old, was fatally attacked by his father, Daniel Hardcastle, in August 2023. The case, which unfolded just days after Preston’s last visit to the hospital, has now been linked to similar failures in the medical assessment process. During Damion’s June 2023 visit, medics noticed a bruise on his head but did not investigate its origin, a critical oversight that has become a focal point of the current review. Hardcastle, who had been granted sole custody of Damion three months before the murder, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years in July 2024.

A court hearing during Hardcastle’s sentencing revealed the extent of Damion’s injuries, including a severe brain injury and an adult bite mark. The boy was described as “covered in injuries, top to toe and front to back,” a stark reminder of the violence he endured. The Blackpool Safeguarding Children Partnership recently conducted a review of the case, stating that the failure to ask the father about the head bruise was a deviation from expected protocols. This finding has intensified demands for a public inquiry into the broader systemic issues affecting child safety in the region.

Safeguarding Failures Under Scrutiny

The independent review of Preston Davey’s case has now expanded to include Damion Russell, following concerns raised about the hospital’s role in both tragedies. The inquiry is examining whether the same lapses in care that contributed to Preston’s death also played a part in Damion’s. Medical professionals at Blackpool Victoria Hospital were found to have overlooked key details, including the child’s history of abuse and the potential significance of old injuries.

Chris Webb, Labour MP for Blackpool South, emphasized the urgency of the situation during a recent statement. “We need to do better, and we know that the state has been failing these young kids, young babies,” he said, as reported by the Blackpool Lead. Webb, along with Fylde MP Andrew Snowden, has called for a public inquiry to investigate possible safeguarding failures linked to Preston Davey. The review aims to uncover whether there were broader systemic issues that allowed both children to be harmed.

Hannah Joy Hocking, a friend of Damion’s biological mother, echoed these sentiments. “I’ve seen the news articles about Preston recently, and my brain instantly just went into thinking about Damion,” she said. Hocking, who has been supporting the family through the aftermath of Damion’s death, stressed the importance of including his case in the broader inquiry. “I think there should be a full inquiry, I completely agree with that and I feel like people need to stand up for these two little boys,” she added. “I feel like Preston’s getting a lot of attention at the moment and I do feel like Damion got a little bit left behind.”

The hospital trust that operates Blackpool Victoria Hospital has acknowledged the need for improved practices. In a statement, the trust highlighted its efforts to “strengthen practice” and “provide reassurance to families” using its services. They noted that work was already underway before the release of the review into Damion’s case to support staff in emergency departments and other areas where children are cared for. These measures include training to ensure medical teams ask the right questions about any observed injuries, whether recent or longstanding.

Despite these commitments, the cases of Preston and Damion have exposed vulnerabilities in the system. Both children were recently removed from foster care and placed with their fathers, who were later found to be responsible for their deaths. The coroners’ service in Blackpool is currently reviewing Preston’s case, while Damion’s has already been closed. However, the ongoing public and political pressure suggests that the investigation may not be complete.

Key to the inquiry is the question of how medical professionals missed critical signs of abuse in both instances. In Preston’s case, the video Varley used to justify the injuries was a pivotal piece of evidence, yet it failed to account for fresh bruising that emerged after the recording. For Damion, the failure to question his father about the head bruise left crucial clues unexplored. These oversights raise concerns about the thoroughness of medical assessments and the coordination between healthcare providers and child protection agencies.

As the inquiry progresses, the spotlight is on the need for transparency and accountability. The public outcry over Preston’s death has now shifted to ensure Damion’s case is not overlooked. With both children’s lives lost due to systemic failures, the call for a public inquiry reflects a growing demand for change. The hope is that by addressing these gaps, future tragedies can be prevented, and the safety of vulnerable children will be prioritized.

“Families bringing their children to our hospital can expect our teams to ask questions about any bumps, bruises or other injuries identified, whether recent or older,” said Maggie Oldham, chief executive of the hospital trust. “For babies who are not walking independently, our teams will carry out a full examination while they are in the Emergency Department.”

The review into Preston Davey’s case has sparked a conversation about the role of healthcare in child abuse prevention. While the hospital has taken steps to improve its protocols, the deaths of both boys serve as a sobering reminder of the stakes involved. The question remains: how many more children will suffer before the system is fully reformed?