In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Margaret Wade and Marie Sweeney, the Glasgow Child Killers, who starved their child to death, were sentenced to only a cumulative 13 years in prison, thanks to Scottish Justice.
Margaret Wade, then 38, and Marie Sweeney, then 37, cared for Lauren Wade in a squalid flat in Glasgow, which a detective called among the most deplorable he had ever encountered.
Margaret Wade and Marie Sweeney from Townhead received sentences of six years and four months for wilfully neglecting Lauren from June 2014 to March 2015.
The two-year-old endured months without adequate nourishment or care. She was expedited to the hospital in March 2015, but succumbed approximately 30 minutes later.
At that time, Lauren was unclean, significantly underweight, and infested with numerous head lice. Two older children residing in the unit also endured hardship but survived.
Evidence indicated the presence of lice for a duration exceeding 17 months.
Margaret Wade and Marie Sweeney were apprehended by law enforcement following Wade’s declaration of having “no guilt” over the fatality.
They also confessed to the identical offence with the other two children from 2007 to 2015.
A multitude of professionals had engaged with the family, although they had not exerted sufficient pressure to observe tangible evidence of progress.
Lady Stacey informed them that the youths had endured a “chaotic” lifestyle.
The court was informed that Margaret Wade and Marie Sweeney had been together for over 15 years and both considered themselves as Lauren’s “parents,” although Wade was characterised as “the mother.”
Lauren had evident signs of illness and emaciation for several days before her demise.
On March 20, 2015, a 999 call was initiated after Lauren was discovered to be “unresponsive”. The infant was swiftly sent to the hospital but was subsequently declared deceased.
Prosecutor Bill McVicar stated: “The most consequential outcome of the inadequate diet provision is Lauren’s malnutrition, which resulted in complications that led to her demise.”
At that time, Lauren was characterised as “slender, unclean, and dishevelled.” She also had a saturated diaper, alopecic areas, and numerous head lice.
Wade informed the nurses that Lauren had been afflicted by a virus for several days.
The police investigated the appalling living conditions to which Lauren and the other children had been exposed.
Mr McVicar stated, “Paramedics subsequently observed that the cover on which she had been resting was infested with lice and fleas.” They were required to sanitise and sanitise the ambulance.
Paramedics subsequently observed that the blanket on which she had been resting was infested with lice and fleas.
A cop who subsequently inspected the Foutainwell Drive flat described it as “one of the most repugnant residences” he had encountered in his law enforcement career.
The court was informed that it was strewn with refuse, discarded food, soiled dishes, and clothing. Numerous insects and flies were present.
Lauren Wade was under two years and five months old when she was discovered emaciated, malnourished and lifeless on the couch of her residence in a northern Glasgow flat.
The toddler exhibited no apparent signs of injury or illness; yet, she was unclean and suffered from a severe infestation of head lice that had extended to her face and chest.
She was exceedingly emaciated, with her shoulders, ribs, and vertebrae prominently discernible through her skin.
The palms of her hands had black filth in the creases, and the soles of her feet were similarly soiled.
A toxicology study following her demise in March 2015 indicated the presence of alcohol and diazepam in her system.
Lauren’s deciduous teeth exhibited indications of deterioration, accompanied by signs of significant nutritional deficits.
The property was cluttered with refuse, obstructing access to the kitchen due to waste bags stacked to waist height.
The bags had food and refuse that had been preserved for two years.
The couch on which Lauren slept was severely infested with head lice. It possessed a substantial aperture and had undergone partial disintegration.
Two additional youngsters in the residence were also afflicted with head lice, exhibited poor hygiene, and possessed a pronounced body odour.
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