Healthcare Visitor Reported Baby's Bruises Days Before Fatal Injury
A healthcare visitor has provided detailed testimony about raising significant concerns regarding a premature baby just days before the infant was allegedly murdered by her parents. Zena Graham informed Stafford Crown Court that she alerted social services after observing two "dark black" bruises on Darcy-Leigh Jefferson's face during a visit on March 24, 2022.
Immediate Concerns and Social Services Response
The court heard how Ms Graham documented "dried blood" around the five-week-old baby's lips during her visit to mother Amy Clarke's home. Darcy-Leigh, who was already on a child protection plan, appeared to be "in some pain" and was crying throughout the visit. Despite the healthcare worker's clear recommendations for an immediate child protection medical examination, social services "took a different view" and did not authorise the urgent assessment.
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC questioned the witness about her professional obligations. "Did you think that your policies suggested there should be a child protection medical examination?" Ms Graham responded unequivocally: "Yes." When asked if she made this clear to the social work team, she stated: "Crystal."
Tragic Timeline and Medical Evidence
Darcy-Leigh died just five days after Ms Graham's final visit, having been admitted to hospital on March 27, 2022, with what medical experts described as a "catastrophic" brain injury. The infant passed away two days later on March 29, aged just five weeks. Born prematurely at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield on February 20, 2022, she weighed only 4lbs at birth.
Medical evidence presented to the court revealed devastating injuries:
- 47 rib fractures allegedly caused by chest compression
- Fractures to both legs potentially resulting from pulling or twisting
- A fatal brain injury possibly caused by violent shaking or impact
Detailed Account of Healthcare Visits
Ms Graham provided comprehensive evidence about her multiple interactions with Clarke and the baby in the weeks preceding the tragedy. During her testimony on February 5, she described:
- February 28 phone call: Clarke reported taking Darcy-Leigh to Samuel Johnson Community Hospital due to concerns about overfeeding and vomiting. Medical staff diagnosed jaundice but deemed the baby safe to return home.
- March 4 home visit: Ms Graham observed no signs of alcohol or drug use in the property. Clarke reported the baby was drinking small amounts of milk regularly but had lost weight since birth.
- March 11 attempted visit: Clarke eventually answered the door after initial non-response, explaining she was about to feed the baby. The mother appeared "well, happy and relaxed" according to the healthcare worker.
- March 18 follow-up: Clarke appeared relaxed but reported feeding difficulties, including projectile vomiting. She mentioned an incident where Darcy-Leigh had "headbutted" father Sean Jefferson's collarbone, causing minor bleeding.
The Final Visit and Critical Observations
During her crucial March 24 visit, Ms Graham described finding the baby "very hot on the back of her neck" and unsettled. Clarke explained she had put the heater on to keep Darcy-Leigh warm. The healthcare worker noted the infant was crying, refusing to feed from her mother, and appeared to be in discomfort.
Most significantly, Clarke pointed out what appeared to be dried blood on the corners of her daughter's lips. When Ms Graham examined the baby, she discovered two distinct "dark black" bruises on either side of her mouth and chin. The healthcare worker immediately advised Clarke that Jefferson needed to hold the baby "not so hard" and that she must report the bruises to social services as per protocol.
"Babies of that age don't routinely bruise easily," Ms Graham told the court. "Because they are not moving about how a toddler would, that was of more concern."
Feeding Difficulties and Professional Concerns
The healthcare worker expressed ongoing concerns about Darcy-Leigh's weight gain throughout her testimony. "I could not understand why we had a formula-fed baby that was not gaining weight," she stated. "I was not happy - really from the day she came out of the hospital and that's why I monitored her so much."
In a poignant moment, Ms Graham described how she successfully fed the unsettled baby during her final visit. "She just took the teat. She drained the whole two ounces of that bottle from me," she recalled. "That little girl knew who was holding her. She knew that somebody different was holding her and she took that milk."
Prosecution Allegations and Parental Denials
The prosecution alleges that Clarke, 34, of Enots Close, Lichfield, and Jefferson, 35, of Birch Court, Walsall, subjected their daughter to "physical abuse" before her death. Medical experts have testified that Darcy-Leigh had no underlying medical conditions that could explain her fatal injuries.
Additional evidence presented suggests Clarke "drank a lot of alcohol" and took cocaine during pregnancy and after giving birth, while Jefferson smoked cannabis. The prosecution claims Clarke was "careful to ensure that there were no signs" of substance use at home, allegedly hiding the truth to maintain an appearance of a "well-presented and ordered life."
Both parents deny all charges, including murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing the baby's death, grievous bodily harm with intent, and child cruelty. The trial continues at Stafford Crown Court.
