Mother’s continuing drug use sees social workers change decision on daughter’s care

Social workers have changed their minds about allowing a drug addict who regularly tested positive for crack cocaine when pregnant to care for her toddler daughter, a family court judge says.

The girl had temporarily been taken from her mother shortly after birth because of concerns about her mother’s drug addiction, Judge Sarah Lynch heard.

But the woman had “seemed to be doing well” and social services staff planned to place the little girl in her care.

Further drug testing showed that she was continuing to use cocaine, despite denials, and professionals had decided that she could not safely care for her daughter, said the judge.

Judge Lynch has now approved a plan for the girl to be brought up by a relative.

Detail of the case has emerged in a written ruling published by Judge Lynch following a private family court hearing in Leeds.

The judge has not identified anyone involved.

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