Tragic mum Charlotte Bevan may have fled hospital fearing social services would take baby
TRAGIC mum Charlotte Bevan who fled hospital with her baby before jumping to her death feared she was at risk of having her daughter taken away from her, it has been claimed.
Charlotte Bevan was known to social services
The Bristol mother had been referred to social workers on three occasions in the run up to the birth of her daughter Zaani.
The four-day old baby was found dead on a cliff edge the day after her mother’s body was found in Bristol’s Avon gorge.
Police had launched a major search operation after Ms Bevan left Bristol Maternity Hospital on Tuesday evening.
She is believed to have suffered from schizophrenia and depression and been sleep deprived after giving birth, and worried she was going to lose her child to social services.
A source told The Sun: “Charlotte was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy and had three referrals from midwives.
“But she was clearly distraught by the time she left the hospital.”
Charlotte Bevan was seen on CCTV leaving the hospital with her babies
She was clearly distraught by the time she left the hospital
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has launched an investigation into the care the mother and baby received to establish if anything could have been done to prevent the double tragedy.
Bristol City Council said it anticipates Bristol Safeguarding Adults Board and Bristol Safeguarding Children Board will launch a serious case review into the deaths.
A walker alerted police after spotting a pair of white hospital slippers and a multi-coloured baby blanket on a cliff-edge fence near Clifton Observatory on Wednesday.
Ms Bevan's body was discovered at about 10.30pm that night, while the body of baby Zaani was located nearby following intensive searches yesterday.
Floral tributes have been left for Ms Bevan
Ms Bevan's mother, Rachel Fortune, paid tribute to her daughter and grand-daughter, Zaani Tiana.
She said: "My beautiful daughter and grand-daughter are now at peace.
"The family would like to thank all the friends of Pascal, Charlotte and Zaani, some of whom we have only met today.
"We would also like to say thank you for all the messages from everyone."