Questions over whether more could have been done to prevent death of Dahlia-Rose Gartshore
Questions have been raised about whether more could have been done to support Courtney Gartshore in the time before Dahlia-Rose’s death
Questions have been raised as to whether social work intervention could have prevented the death of baby Dahlia-Rose Gartshore.
Courtney Gartshore, the three-month-old’s mother, was jailed for six years at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday.
Gartshore, 28, was found to have killed her daughter with heat from a hairdryer.
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The incident took place at an address on King Street in Peterhead on September 30, 2023.
Emergency services were called to the property but Dahlia-Rose was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gartshore had earlier been drinking while she had been in sole charge of the infant.
The court had heard that Gartshore, who had mental health and addiction issues, as well as having survived childhood trauma, had social work support for her older child.
However, she had been deemed fit to care for Dahlia-Rose without social work interventions.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said the local authority could not comment on individual cases.
Laurence Findlay, Director of Education and Children's Services, said: “The death of Dahlia-Rose is a tragedy, and my thoughts remain with all those affected.
“All concerns relating to the welfare and safety of children are taken very seriously and our teams respond to them in line with our statutory duties and our own safeguarding procedures.”
The death remains under investigation by the Crown Office and a decision is yet to be made on holding a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Liberal Democrat MSP Duncan Dunlop said Gartshore was a “stark reminder” of Nicole Blain, who was jailed in May for 19 years after killing her 19-day-old daughter Thea Wilson.
He was clear that a custodial sentence was necessary but said Gartshore and Blain were “vulnerable women” in need of support.
Mr Dunlop said: "These were vulnerable women struggling to cope living on their own.
“It suits society to demonise them and lay all blame at their feet, but the cause of these tragic murders lies deeper in their past.
"The cruel end is often a manifestation of ingrained trauma from childhood. They are women desperately in need of support and help.
“Yes they deserve to be sentenced for the acts of incomprehensible cruelty, but who is carrying society's portion of the blame?
"Who should have been there recognising the risk their babies were at? Where was the open offer of non stigmatising support so they could say ‘I need help’?
"That part of the sentence should be handed down on many others too - those who have failed to continuously create care and support systems that heal and give hope and love.”
Judge Simon Collins KC called it a “uniquely disturbing” case.
He said: “It is tragic as well as terrible.
“You will have to live the rest of your life with the knowledge that you were responsible for her death.
“This was a gross breach of the most basic duty as a parent.”
Although Judge Collins acknowledged that Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill her baby, he said she was culpable in the “highest degree” of carelessness.
He added that it “should have been obvious” that Dahlia-Rose was in “severe distress and pain”.
Judge Collins said her likely cause of death was hypothermia and heat stroke.
Gartshore’s defence lawyer Murray Macara called it a “truly tragic and distressing case”.
Since she was taken into custody, Mr Macara said Gartshore has spent approximately 23 hours a day in her cell, which he said is to ensure her own safety and protection.
Stephen Kerr, Scottish Conservatives justice spokesman, said: “This is a horrific case and my thoughts are with those grieving the loss of a baby in such appalling circumstances.
“This vile individual is clearly a danger to society and many parents in particular will have been keen to see justice served to an even greater degree.
“The SNP’s relentless weakening of the justice system means that interests of criminals are all too often prioritised ahead of victims.
“That simply cannot happen in this case and she must serve her sentence in full.”
The court heard that Gartshore used the hairdryer on Dahlia-Rose for up to an hour, resulting in burns to approximately 18 per cent of her body surface – particularly to her head, neck, upper body and one of her arms.
She appeared in court via video link wearing a navy prison uniform. She cried and was visibly emotional throughout the sentencing.
An NSPCC Scotland spokeswoman said: “This is a deeply upsetting case, and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this little girl’s tragic death.
"Babies and very young children are among the most vulnerable members of society and rely entirely on the adults caring for them to keep them safe.”
Following her conviction, Detective Inspector James Callander said: “Children are defenceless and should be protected. The death of any child is particularly harrowing, but a child’s death at the hands of a parent is incredibly disturbing.
“Everyone involved in this investigation was deeply affected by the circumstances of Dahlia-Rose’s death, but our job is to uncover the truth and ensure that the person responsible is brought to justice.”
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