Social workers believed to have been involved with hanged girl since birth

SOCIAL workers were involved with an eight-year-old girl found hanged in her bedroom since the day she was born, the Post understands.

Charlotte Moody, who is believed to have had severe learning difficulties, was found by her parents at their Moor Street, Mansfield, home at around 9.15am on Saturday.

A Notts County Council spokesman confirmed that Charlotte and her family were known to “a number of agencies” including the county council’s children’s services.

It is understood that social workers had been involved with Charlotte since birth. A source close to the case is also reported to have said she needed help at school because she struggled to walk and was unable to use stairs unaided.

County council chief executive Mick Burrows said a “thorough” investigation was taking place.

He said: “It is a tragedy. It is clear that our children’s services had been involved with her family.

“We take the protection of vulnerable children very seriously. We were working with her family who were receiving support from the county council and a number of other agencies.”

Parents of children at Charlotte’s school spoke of their shock.

Sarah Brown, 33, of Mansfield, was dropping off her two youngsters at Sutton Road Primary School yesterday morning.

She said: “I’ve not told my two yet. It is absolutely dreadful. I was going to see what the school did today.

“They [her children] do know her and this is a big thing. Nobody expects it. It is terrible.”

Michelle Denny, 30, who has an eight-year-old daughter at the school, said: “I’ve told her [daughter] but I don’t think she really understands. I was very shocked. Your heart goes out to the parents.”

A post-mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary confirmed the cause of death as hanging.

A police source said that no third party was believed to have been involved in the death, which officers believe may have been “not deliberate”.

Coun Philip Owen, county council portfolio holder for children and young people’s services, said: “My feelings go out to the parents of this child. It’s a tragedy, whatever the circumstances.”

Notts Police’s public protection unit is working with council staff to find out more about their involvement with Charlotte’s family.

Charlotte’s five-year-old brother has been taken into social care.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Pearson, head of the unit, said: “We are investigating the full circumstances of this death with our colleagues at children and young people’s services.

“Detectives have interviewed both the girl’s parents, while a five-year-old boy who was also living at the address has been taken into local authority care.

“The inquiry is at a very early stage, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at present.”

Moor Street has been reopened after a full forensic examination.

Cards, flowers and toys have been laid outside the family’s front door.