Laura Fletcher's husband, Dean Marr - 'she was a good mother'

Oct 14 2009 by Kevin Core, Birkenhead News

CHLOE’S dad, Dean Marr, described Laura Fletcher as “a really good mother who showed Chloe lots of love and affection”.

The couple met in a Birkenhead hostel in late 2003.

Mr Marr told police Chloe was always clean and well dressed, impressing health visitors.

But, in 2007, there was a dramatic change.

Mr Marr’s mother, Julie Marr, was actively involved in little Chloe’s upbringing and visited the home having not heard from Laura for several weeks.

She found both mother and child were dirty and Chloe was handed over to Mrs Marr for several weeks. Contact became more sporadic when she was returned to her mum.

In March 2008, Dean Marr discovered her new address – but on a visit found the cold house in darkness, with no food, no electricity and no heat. Chloe was naked sitting in an empty bath. Mr Marr phoned the police and social services were called.

Andrew Menary, QC, told the court: “It appears that social workers and other support staff did try to help Laura Fletcher but she failed properly to engage with them. No-one assessed Chloe as at risk from the defendant.”

Chloe’s case is now subject to an inquiry by Wirral’s local safeguarding Children’s Board – made up by the council, NHS Wirral and mental health services from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It will publish a report next month. No social workers were suspended.