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Serious case review highlights safeguarding failures in lead up to toddler’s death

A series of safeguarding concerns have been highlighted in a serious case review over the death of a 21-month-old girl.
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board has carried out an independent review. Picture: Adobe Stock
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board has carried out an independent review. Picture: Adobe Stock

Sean Sadler, 32, from Northfield, Birmingham was convicted of the murder of Lilly Hanrahan after her death in November 2017.

At the time of her death, Sadler, the partner of a relative named as her special guardian, was looking after Lilly.

The special guardianship order was granted in July 2016 due to Lilly’s mother’s history of drug abuse, including while she was pregnant. 

Birmingham Council social workers had called for Lilly to be placed in foster care, however, her maternal grandmother and special guardian both stepped forward as long-term carers for her.

The review, carried out by Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board, notes that in April 2017, the special guardian rekindled her relationship with the perpetrator, the father of her first child, “who is now known to have a history of mental health problems and violence, which includes domestic abuse”. 

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