Mother accused of causing death of her daughter tells court GP said she ‘looked fine’

By Ted Hennessey, Reporter25th February 2022News EnglandChild Abuse, Child Protection, Childrens Services, Courts / Justice, London, News England, Primary Care / GP's, Social Work

A mother accused of causing the death of her baby daughter through neglect has said she was told by a GP the child “looked fine” weeks before her death.

Fartun Jamal, 25, from Kingfisher Way, Brent Park, north-west London (pictured), is accused of causing the death of her 11-month-old daughter Nafahat through neglect, and of cruelty towards another child.

Harrow Crown Court had previously heard that Nafahat died from a chest infection on March 13 2019, and that her death could have been prevented had her mother sought adequate medical aid in the weeks leading up to her death.

On Friday, Jamal said she had spoken to a GP on February 26, in which she expressed concerns about her daughter.

She told the jury: “I had told the doctor I was worried about Nafahat, that she had a very high temperature, a poor appetite and that I believed she may have a cold.

“But the doctor told me she looks fine and if it gets worse give her some Calpol and that was it.”

Jamal told the court she was “quite sure” this is what had been said by the GP.

Nafahat was ill from at least March 4, and her condition worsened before she died more than a week later, the court had previously heard.

The jury also heard about Jamal’s living conditions in the lead-up to Nafahat’s death, which had been described as “disgusting”.

Babysitter Aimee Whittaker-George visited the home at Kingfisher Way on February 13, the court heard.

Unhappy with the conditions that Nafahat was living in, the babysitter contacted social services after she left, the court was told.

Jamal told the jury she had been “depressed” and “anxious” due to being a parent with little support.

She told the court the conditions and bad smell were due to ceiling leaks and damp in the walls which “ruined” her belongings.

Asked about the allegations of Ms Whittaker-George, the defendant went on: “I was conscious there was a smell of damp or mould but I don’t know if that was because I was used to it by then.”

She added: “I accept that it (the flat) was messy, there were dishes that needed to be washed because I had my dinner but it wasn’t in the way she describes.”

The jury was also previously told that Jamal is said to have made a series of internet searches relating to giving up her child.

The searches included “I want to give up my child” and “I can’t cope with my child anymore”, the court heard.

Asked about her feelings towards her daughter, Jamal said: “I instantly fell in love with her the moment I got hold of her.

“She was a beautiful child, she was so calm.”

Jamal said she “needed a break” from parenting because life was “getting on top” of her.

Jamal told the court: “I just felt I needed someone there for support.

“I felt useless because of the life I had growing up, I didn’t want the same (for her).

“I wanted to be a better parent but I didn’t know what to do.”

Jamal is charged with one count of causing death by neglect, two counts of child cruelty in relation to Nafahat, and a third count of child cruelty in relation to another child.