Toddler with wrist fractures had arm pulled or twisted, specialist suggests

A toddler who suffered wrist fractures probably had her arm pulled or twisted, a specialist has told a family court judge.

The little girl also suffered a rib fracture consistent with a “shaking episode”, Judge Kate Purkiss heard.

The judge concluded that the youngster’s injuries were “inflicted” and “non-accidental”.

But she said she could not be sure who caused the injuries.

The judge said damage could have been inflicted by either the girl’s parents or a couple who helped to care for her.

Detail of the girl’s case has emerged in a ruling published by the judge after she analysed evidence at a private hearing in the East London Family Court, in Canary Wharf, London.

Judge Purkiss said the doctors had found fractures after the girl was taken to hospital when about 18 months old.

Her parents had agreed to her being placed in the care of relatives pending inquiries by social workers.

Council social services bosses with responsibility for the girl’s welfare had asked the judge to make findings about the cause of the injuries.

Judge Purkiss said the youngster could not be identified.

A consultant paediatric radiologist had identified fractures in both the girl’s wrists and told the judge that they “likely resulted” from a “pulling or twisting force” being applied.

Rib fractures were often caused when a child of that age was held around the chest during a “shaking episode”, the specialist said.

Judge Purkiss said she was satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the fractures were “inflicted non-accidental injuries”.

She said she could not identify a “perpetrator” but added that the injuries could have been caused by “any one” of the four people who had regularly cared for the youngster.

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