Florence a newborn baby was battered to death by her violent and abusive father a day after social workers said they were scaling down their involvement with him and his family.
Little Florence Liberty Mae Higham’s parents had been known to social services but officials visited them to say they were reducing their association with them due to a “decreased level of concern”.
Just 24 hours later, 16-day old Florence was subjected to a physical assault by her father Matthew Higham whilst the infant’s mother Sharon Collins was visiting a sick friend.
The baby was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.
Test showed Florence had suffered “extensive injuries” consistent with her being repeatedly punched and or slammed against a hard surface. They included multiple skull and rib fractures, facial injuries and bruising, resulting in acute brain damage.
She also suffered internal injuries and organ damage including a lacerated liver.
It emerged Higham – who is now serving life for murder – had a history of abusing drink cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis and before he met Miss Collins had previously had another child removed from his care due to his drug and alcohol abuse and “chastising”.
He had been repeatedly arrested in the months before the murder of Florence and had been issued with a restraining order banning him from contacting Miss Collins after he headbutted her and bit her on the leg during an argument.
