Violent 13-year-old girl put in local authority care over lack of ‘appropriate boundaries’

A 13-year-old girl whose violent behaviour caused concern has gone into local authority care after social workers told a Family Court judge that her mother and stepfather had not “implemented appropriate boundaries”.

Three other children in the family will also go into care as a result of decisions made by Judge Edward Hess following a Family Court hearing in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The teenager had smashed a television, punched and bitten other children, attacked adults and threatened to “put a metal rod” into a child’s spine, Judge Hess heard.

Detail of the case has emerged in a ruling published by the judge.

He did not identify the family involved but said social services bosses at Wiltshire Council had asked him to make welfare decisions.

Social workers had raised a series of concerns about the couple’s parenting.

They said the couple had exposed the children to risk by not implementing appropriate boundaries – and said the youngsters lacked understanding of appropriate behaviours and socially acceptable boundaries.

Judge Hess agreed, and approved a variety of council care plans for the children. He said the couple would stay in contact with the youngsters.

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