Police have been asked to review evidence following the death of an 11-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who drowned in a bath.
An inquest conducted by assistant coroner, Paul Cooper, found that Dainton Gittos died as a result of the parent's neglect in not supervising him while he had a bath on Friday, January 22, 2021, Lincolnshire Live reports.
In the coroner's prevention of future deaths report, it states that the father gave Dainton a bath and left him unsupervised at their home on Geneva Avenue in Lincoln. Dainton couldn't speak, bear his own body weight and was unable to call out for help.
He slid under the water and drowned before his mother came in and found him sometime later. Both the mother and father deny responsibility for Dainton's supervision while he was in the bath and it was found that the father failed to use a non-slip mattress.
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Extensive Class B drugs were also found at the scene. The report states that social services records indicate child protection conferences were held in 2010-2011 and 2013-2014 under category of neglect and emotional harm.
In the report, Mr Cooper said: "During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken."
He also stated that "neglect runs right through this case". Mr Cooper believes that the "evidence needs to be tested" and "charging criteria reconsidered" due to there being three other siblings.
A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in January 2022, but both were released. A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: "We acknowledge the Coroner's report on the death of 11-year-old Dainton Gittos and we are working on reviewing this."
Lincolnshire Police's response to the coroner's report must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, as well as setting out the timetable for action. If no action is taken then police must provide an explanation as to why.
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