No Justice: Woman Slowly Starved Her 24YO Down’s Syndrome Daughter to Death in Filthy Room

[Sugar Cookie]

A mother who slowly starved her Down’s Syndrome daughter to death in a filthy bedroom covered in takeaway boxes and used diapers was sentenced to a measly ten years in prison.

Elaine Clarke, 49, ‘bought herself handbags and shoes,’ while daughter Debbie Leitch, 24, wasted away in a dark, feces-covered room that smelled of death.’

Leitch’s face was ‘completely encrusted with scabs and thickened skin, such that she was no longer recognizable as being a young female’ when she was discovered on August 29, 2019.

Police were initially unable to identify her sex when they discovered her body, which weighed only 3stone 10lb (23.5 kg).

Her death was caused by ‘severe emaciation and neglect with extensive and severe scabies skin infection,’ according to a post-mortem examination.


Clarke had been receiving weekly benefit payments of £215 to care for her daughter, but in December she pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter after initially denying the charge.


She was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison today at Preston Crown Court after admitting gross negligent manslaughter.


Leitch’s condition ‘deteriorated dramatically’ in the months leading up to her death, according to the court.


Prosecutor John Harrison QC described to the court the horrific conditions in which Debbie’s decomposing body was discovered when emergency services arrived.


‘Debbie was extremely emaciated, with a severe rash on the scalp, face, and soles of the feet,’ he said. The deceased’s jumper and trousers were filthy, and mites were discovered crawling on them. A urine-soiled nappy was discovered inside her pants.


‘A live maggot was discovered near the body.’ Bits of skin came away with her clothing as it was cut away from her body because it had adhered to her body.


‘Mites were found crawling all over her back. The trousers were covered in liquid feces. Debbie’s hair was falling out due to the scabies rash. Her face was covered with the rash.


‘Debbie’s ribs were visible through the skin. All of her limbs were wasted, and the rash was widespread on them. Her buttocks were completely covered in feces which extended down to the thighs.


‘As the body was examined, large areas of skin fell away from the body. More than 30 percent of her skin was covered in the rash, which was more severe in some parts of the body than others.’


Clarke’s niece, Sammy Mugridge, paid a visit to the house a month before Debbie died.


She found the daughter on a filthy mattress in a dark, musty room covered in takeaway boxes and dirty nappies.


She warned Clarke that if Debbie was not cared for, she would die, and she later reported her to social services.


‘I’ll never forget the last day I saw Debbie alive,’ Mugridge told the court. I knew she was ill and not feeling well, but the sight of her in the room will stay with me for the rest of my life.


‘The stench was unbelievable… I can only describe it as the stench of death.


‘Debbie was so skinny. Her hair had been hacked off her skin looked like raw flesh. It was like something out of a horror movie.’


A GP from Whitegate Health Centre arranged a home visit the same day after receiving a safeguarding report on July 26, a month before her death.


As a result, Clarke worked hard to clean the room and get her daughter into the shower.


Leitch, on the other hand, ‘screamed throughout the shower’ because the pain on her irritated skin ‘must have been excruciating,’ according to the court.


Clarke assured the doctor that she was using medication to treat her daughter’s skin infection.


The doctor scheduled a second visit for August 12, but when he arrived, he was unable to gain access to the property, and his attempts to schedule a follow-up were ignored.


Clarke presented her daughter to Blackpool Council social workers in a similar manner, telling them she was ‘doing really well, eating really well, and spending time downstairs.’


However, Leitch’s condition deteriorated, and she was heard crying and calling ‘mummy, mummy’ by a neighbor in the days leading up to her death, according to the court.


When Clarke finally dialed 999, it was discovered that Debbie had been dead for eight to 36 hours.


Clarke initially denied the wrongful death of her vulnerable daughter, but changed her plea to guilty in January, just ten days before the case was set to go to trial.


Her former partner, 45-year-old Robert Bruce of Rothwell in Leeds, was charged with allowing or causing the death of a vulnerable adult, but the charge was later dropped.

Clarke must serve at least two-thirds of her prison sentence before being eligible for release, after which she will be kept on probation.

Debbie Leitch: Jail term for mum who starved daughter reviewed

Elaine Clarke, 49, admitted gross negligence manslaughter of Debbie Leitch, who had Down's syndrome.

www.bbc.com

 

[Busy Bee]

That’s disgusting! The sentence is a slap to Debbie, the “mother” should spend the remainder of her life in prison! She should have to reimburse social services the funds given for Debbie’s care. Her mother, the niece, the neighbor, the GP , they all failed her! Rest well little Debbie , the court of law is not the final justice! Sure wish more people could have given you protection.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

Sounds like she had crusted scabies .. skin to skin or sexual contact .. so many questions ..

 

[Alxprkrkrls]

People with Down syndrome are among the purest and most trusting souls, the fact that she was crying out for her mom, the person doing this to her, wrecked me..

 

[Exodus]

That’s disgusting! The sentence is a slap to Debbie, the “mother” should spend the remainder of her life in prison! She should have to reimburse social services the funds given for Debbie’s care. Her mother, the niece, the neighbor, the GP , they all failed her! Rest well little Debbie , the court of law is not the final justice! Sure wish more people could have given you protection.

Your first time seeing the "Crown Court" In action? This is a pretty typical Sentence.

People with Down syndrome are among the purest and most trusting souls, the fact that she was crying out for her mom, the person doing this to her, wrecked me..

We clearly have the polar opposite of Experiences! When I was 10 years old I was put into a Daycare with a bunch of other Brats my age that was run by a single middle aged woman who lived with her 18 year old Down Syndrome son and younger daughter. That D.S Kid/Adult was a Fucking prick, would get angry over the slightest shit and result into using us 9 & 10 year old's as Punching bags.

Of Course his lazy mother would be glued to the TV watching her soaps too distracted to stop such behavior/acts of Violence, 1 time resulting in him wrapping the wire of a Nintendo Controller around my throat and trying to choke me to death. Great Times! So Much any time I see an individual of Down Syndrome In Public I keep 50ft of distance between me and them, Not risking the chance of something setting them off, and putting myself in reach of their physical rage.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

I worked with special needs kids and DS kids and the kids were among some of the sweetest and most amazing kids .. stubborn but never violent .. hyper sexual at puberty but never violent .. with that said .. children with low functioning autism .. they could be highly unpredictable and extremely violent without much warning .. and young kids with personality disorders .. Oy!! however all had their moments and were among the sweetest and most lovable kids .. I worked with a lot of personality disorder kids that started as young as 4 and ran through high school .. often ones that had problems bonding with other teachers .. I did a lot of IEP or 504 plans with children and did a lot of one-to-one plans that connected me to one-on-one student plans that they worked specifically with me for their safety, educational, and other needs ..

 

[Ramona the brave]

I worked with special needs kids and DS kids and the kids were among some of the sweetest and most amazing kids .. stubborn but never violent .. hyper sexual at puberty but never violent .. with that said .. children with low functioning autism .. they could be highly unpredictable and extremely violent without much warning .. and young kids with personality disorders .. Oy!! however all had their moments and were among the sweetest and most lovable kids .. I worked with a lot of personality disorder kids that started as young as 4 and ran through high school .. often ones that had problems bonding with other teachers .. I did a lot of IEP or 504 plans with children and did a lot of one-to-one plans that connected me to one-on-one student plans that they worked specifically with me for their safety, educational, and other needs ..

Lol, as a special ed teacher I've found that DS kids run the gamut just like any other kid. Sometimes aggressive, but it's got a lot to do with parenting just like any other kid, I guess. Kids with low cognitive functioning and no coping skills can get a lot more dangerous once they're 100 pounds and hitting puberty! Awesome that you've

That being said, one of my recent DS students is the kindest, bravest, most hardworking 6th grader you could ever meet and I can't help but see her in this story. It's a very particular kind of revulsion & anger hearing how this young woman was treated. Because her story is not unique at all. It makes me that much more determined to keep fighting for respect & better lives for those with disabilities. Most people don't see their potential, they see someone to pity, or exploit, or tout on social media as some kind of angel whose sole purpose of their existence is to "teach us how to love" or blah blah blah.

The worst is when people find out I'm a special ed teacher and act all, oh, bless you, that must be such a hard job, it takes a really special person to work with those kids, etc... Uh no, I'm just irregular decent fucking human being whose job is only hard because of the shitty attitude towards disability that leaves me with zero resources and not enough support staff.

Ugh ok I'll get off my soapbox now. I'm crabby this morning, lol.

 

[Sudonim]

I worked with special needs kids and DS kids and the kids were among some of the sweetest and most amazing kids .. stubborn but never violent .. hyper sexual at puberty but never violent ..

I'm going to have to disagree with the never violent part. My sisters ex mother inlaw used to be a care worker for older(young teen to young adult) special education children. She'd take them to school, 'work', appointments etc.

One day she was babysitting my 4 year old nephew and one of the kids parents phoned asking her to help do whatever. In a moment that she forever regrets, she agreed they could drop their 14 year old son off. He had a very violent outburst that included throwing and smashing everything he could get his hands on, beating my sisters mother inlaw...and raping my 4 year old nephew. The cops had to wrestle the kid into submission. There was nothing sweet nor amazing about that kid. It's one of the few times I've ever, mentally, wished harm would come to a kid. That kid could burn in a fire no fucks given.

 

[cubby]

It's fairly long but it's an assessment of UK social services, especially in this case of Debbie Leitch.

 

[Future_Milf]

What a bullshit sentence. So, 6 years from now, this bitch walks out of prison with a new name?
[automerge]1648564371[/automerge]
See, in Ohio, sex offenders aren't allowed to get name changes. So, the idea of the worst of the worst across the pond getting them when leaving prison, FOR FREE, is sickening. I get it when it comes to young offenders who were abused themselves, like Mary Bell, but most don't deserve a second chance.

 

[Sudonim]

See, in Ohio, sex offenders aren't allowed to get name changes. So, the idea of the worst of the worst across the pond getting them when leaving prison, FOR FREE, is sickening.

I was kind of surprised to see this and had to dig a bit myself because it goes against basic civil rights. You have a right to change your name.

I have good news and bad news for you. Unless their conviction says they have to comply with R.C. 2950.04 or R. C. 2950.041, they can indeed change their names. Only in cases where a child is the victim are they prevented from changing their name. On top of that, the longest they can force a sex offender(of any type) to register for is 15 years in Ohio. If you dont reoffend and successfully completely parole and treatment, time is reduced to as little as 5 years. After that time is up, you can change your name again.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Have to agree with @Sudonim

When I worked at the residential treatment center there were some children that were downright violent and dangerous.

Those were not the children/teens that worried me it was the ones that were superficially nice that had explosive tempers and poor impulse control.

Without going into to much details there was a young man that was great for teen panels. adoption events and so forth but when he got angry -

One time he was in the lunch room and they were trying to de-escalate him and the nerves in my spine were in high alert and I got out of there.

He "messed" up with his pre-adoptive mother and when he went into the foster care side I lost track oh him - but the thing that already scared me was how handsome and well adjusted he came off - but the lower I.Q and rage have always left me concerned for him.

 

[Sudonim]

@Sugar Cookie They had a case here in the Netherlands in 2011 were a child was chained to a wall 24/7 for 3 years straight in a mental institution. They never did release what his disabilities were, only that he had severe learning disabilities. He was institutionalized when he was 5 for violent outbursts and by the time he was 15 he was such a serious threat to anyone around him including the staff that they had no choice but to chain him down so he couldnt reach the staff caring for him. It started a whole debate on safety and morality.

The last I heard a few years ago, he was still chained to the wall because no one can figure out whats both humane but will keep him from harming others.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-12256811

 

[Bipedalprimate]

wall her ass up in that room until she looks like a cast member of Se7en

 

[Alxprkrkrls]

Your first time seeing the "Crown Court" In action? This is a pretty typical Sentence.

We clearly have the polar opposite of Experiences! When I was 10 years old I was put into a Daycare with a bunch of other Brats my age that was run by a single middle aged woman who lived with her 18 year old Down Syndrome son and younger daughter. That D.S Kid/Adult was a Fucking prick, would get angry over the slightest shit and result into using us 9 & 10 year old's as Punching bags.

Of Course his lazy mother would be glued to the TV watching her soaps too distracted to stop such behavior/acts of Violence, 1 time resulting in him wrapping the wire of a Nintendo Controller around my throat and trying to choke me to death. Great Times! So Much any time I see an individual of Down Syndrome In Public I keep 50ft of distance between me and them, Not risking the chance of something setting them off, and putting myself in reach of their physical rage.

Sounds like mom was not really on top of his behavior. Little children who have limited ability to communicate/express feelings hit and bite to express themselves which is considered developmentally normal. The parents teach them that that behavior is not ok. It’s a harder lesson to teach when that child grows physically but not so much mentally. It’s even harder to stop that behavior when the parent doesn’t do shit. It sounds like he was not in a good situation. I have a cousin with DS, I have been to family parties with her and her friends, schoolmates and they have never been anything other than perfectly lovely. Some of them not the greatest conversationalists but I’ve met some totally neurotypical people I can say the same about. I’m sorry you had that experience, it sounds traumatic.

 

[thuumpr]

What a bullshit sentence. So, 6 years from now, this bitch walks out of prison with a new name?
[automerge]1648564371[/automerge]
See, in Ohio, sex offenders aren't allowed to get name changes. So, the idea of the worst of the worst across the pond getting them when leaving prison, FOR FREE, is sickening. I get it when it comes to young offenders who were abused themselves, like Mary Bell, but most don't deserve a second chance.

... unless she marries her prison pen pal?

 

[Sevens My Charm]

I think I covered the gamut with the types of children I worked with .. my DS kids in all my years I never experienced one with violence .. my experiences .. all of the other children depending on the individual children could include violence and sometimes did .. some more than others .. I have been attacked and injured .. but you run that risk when you sign up to work with children with special needs .. I don’t regret working with any of the kids I worked with .. they helped me grow as a person in many ways and for that I will always be greatful and I can only hope I made a good impact on their lives and futures ..

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the nine-and-a-half year prison sentence handed down to cruel mum Elaine Clarke was not unduly lenient.

Clarke, 49, was jailed in February 2022 for the gross negligence manslaughter of her 24-year-old daughter Debbie Leitch through emaciation and neglect. Debbie was found in an unnatural position on her bedroom floor, surrounded by maggots and dirty nappies. She was wearing soiled pyjamas and covered in a painful scabies rash, with live mites. She weighed less than four stone when she died.

Following Clarke's incarceration, the Solicitor General called for her mother's sentence to be reviewed. At the Court of Appeal today (May 19) Alison Morgan QC argued Mrs Justice Yip could have elevated the starting point when considering the sentence she handed down.

Ms Morgan QC said the case was significantly aggravated by Clarke's "continued and repeated neglect of Debbie in the face of the obvious suffering being caused". She also said Clarke showed a "blatant disregard to the very high risk of death, resulting from her neglectful conduct".

She said the period of gross negligence which led to Debbie's death came after a number of months when the young woman suffered terribly. Clarke had sought help for a Norwegian scabies infection - a painful skin condition caused by neglect - but had not attended follow up appointments. Debbie was vulnerable and completely reliant upon her mother, who mislead professionals about the true condition of her daughter, Ms Morgan QC added.

When passing sentence in February, Mrs Justice Yip said these factors placed the case into the highest bracket for sentencing and said care must be taken not to 'double count them' by using them to further aggravate the starting point when considering sentence. In placing the case in the highest category, the starting point was elevated from eight to 12 years.

She then considered the mitigating features - Clarke's guilty plea, her lack of previous convictions, her own personal difficulties and the demands placed on her by being the sole carer for four children with additional needs.

Tim Storrie QC, on behalf of Clarke, said Mrs Justice Yip took a meticulous approach to sentencing his client. He said having placed the case into the highest bracket, the judge exercised the necessary caution to avoid double counting.

Handing down the judgement, Lord Justice Holroyd said: "The judge in this case took the necessary care. Her sentencing remarks were lengthy and detailed. She identified and considered all the relevant factors of this very serious case.

"In our judgement there is no basis on which the appropriate sentence can be criticised. She gave full weight to the seriousness of the offending and correctly identified aggravating and mitigating features. She was in the best position and the conclusion she came to was in the correct category available to her.

"There is no basis on which the sentence can be classed as unduly lenient. The effect is that the sentence remains as before."

Mum who starved daughter to death will not have sentence increased

Debbie Leitch was found in an unnatural position on her bedroom floor, surrounded by maggots and dirty nappies

www.lancs.live

 

[Sugar Cookie]