FINOLA CASH'S TRAGIC FAILURE IN EDGWARE LEADS TO BABY'S DEATH AND SIX-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE
| Red Rose Database
Edgware Sexual Abuser
In June 2015, a heartbreaking case unfolded in Edgware, North London, where a mother battling drug addiction was held accountable for the tragic death of her 11-month-old son. Finola Cash, whose struggles with substance abuse were well-documented, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with her child's death.
According to reports, the infant drowned in a bath while Cash was outside their hotel bedsit in Edgware, engaging with her drug dealer. The incident occurred during a period when Cash was under the influence of crack cocaine, a substance found in her blood during post-mortem examinations. The baby was submerged when his bath seat fell into the water, leading to his tragic demise. Despite the severity of the situation, social workers had visited Cash multiple times, including an unannounced visit just hours before the child's death and another two days prior, when social services had considered whether to remove the child from her care.
During these visits, social workers reported no immediate concerns about the child's safety. However, the reality was far grimmer. The child was later found to have suffered brain damage, and he was placed in a children's hospice where he succumbed to his injuries in September 2014, a month after the drowning incident. It was also discovered that he was suffering from a severe nappy rash, a clear sign of neglect, as he had not been changed regularly.
Medical examinations revealed the presence of crack cocaine in the child's bloodstream, and further tests showed exposure to various drugs, including cocaine and benzoethylene. These findings indicated that the child had been in close contact with his mother during her drug use, possibly through contact with her fingers or while she smoked crack. The neglect and drug exposure contributed significantly to his deteriorating health and ultimate death.
Cash's history with social services was extensive. She had been known to authorities since March 2010, and by April 2014, her son Ricky was placed on a 'child protection plan' due to concerns about neglect. The court heard that Cash had been moved into a hotel in Edgware to allow for closer supervision, following previous evictions from two other hotels due to disruptive behavior. Despite these measures, her cooperation with social services was minimal. She refused to participate in drug testing, and neighbors had reported suspicions of drug use.
On the day of the incident, August 23, 2014, a social worker conducted an unannounced visit and found no immediate concerns. However, hours later, Cash left Ricky alone in the bath, only to return and find him unresponsive. She had gone out to obtain drugs, and her blood and hair tests confirmed she had used crack cocaine within 12 hours of Ricky's drowning. She also had a history of heroin and methadone use over the previous nine months.
During the sentencing, Judge Charles Wide emphasized the gravity of Cash's negligence. He stated, "You will have to live with the fact that you’re responsible for this little baby’s death for the rest of your life. I have no doubt that will be a burden to you, but responsible for Ricky’s death you are." The judge condemned Cash for her gross negligence, highlighting that her repeated failure to care for her child was not due to momentary inattention but a culmination of ongoing neglect. He pointed out that her preoccupations with drug use took precedence over her responsibilities as a mother.
Prosecutor Sarah Plaschkes QC detailed how social services had become increasingly concerned about Cash's behavior, especially after her eviction from multiple hotels. Despite efforts to engage her, Cash refused to cooperate, including failing to attend drug testing appointments. The case also revealed that Cash had been under the influence of drugs during the time of her son's death.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement indicating that Harrow Council has initiated a review of the case. They confirmed that a multi-agency serious case review is underway, commissioned by the Harrow Local Safeguarding Board, and further comments would be inappropriate until its findings are published.
According to reports, the infant drowned in a bath while Cash was outside their hotel bedsit in Edgware, engaging with her drug dealer. The incident occurred during a period when Cash was under the influence of crack cocaine, a substance found in her blood during post-mortem examinations. The baby was submerged when his bath seat fell into the water, leading to his tragic demise. Despite the severity of the situation, social workers had visited Cash multiple times, including an unannounced visit just hours before the child's death and another two days prior, when social services had considered whether to remove the child from her care.
During these visits, social workers reported no immediate concerns about the child's safety. However, the reality was far grimmer. The child was later found to have suffered brain damage, and he was placed in a children's hospice where he succumbed to his injuries in September 2014, a month after the drowning incident. It was also discovered that he was suffering from a severe nappy rash, a clear sign of neglect, as he had not been changed regularly.
Medical examinations revealed the presence of crack cocaine in the child's bloodstream, and further tests showed exposure to various drugs, including cocaine and benzoethylene. These findings indicated that the child had been in close contact with his mother during her drug use, possibly through contact with her fingers or while she smoked crack. The neglect and drug exposure contributed significantly to his deteriorating health and ultimate death.
Cash's history with social services was extensive. She had been known to authorities since March 2010, and by April 2014, her son Ricky was placed on a 'child protection plan' due to concerns about neglect. The court heard that Cash had been moved into a hotel in Edgware to allow for closer supervision, following previous evictions from two other hotels due to disruptive behavior. Despite these measures, her cooperation with social services was minimal. She refused to participate in drug testing, and neighbors had reported suspicions of drug use.
On the day of the incident, August 23, 2014, a social worker conducted an unannounced visit and found no immediate concerns. However, hours later, Cash left Ricky alone in the bath, only to return and find him unresponsive. She had gone out to obtain drugs, and her blood and hair tests confirmed she had used crack cocaine within 12 hours of Ricky's drowning. She also had a history of heroin and methadone use over the previous nine months.
During the sentencing, Judge Charles Wide emphasized the gravity of Cash's negligence. He stated, "You will have to live with the fact that you’re responsible for this little baby’s death for the rest of your life. I have no doubt that will be a burden to you, but responsible for Ricky’s death you are." The judge condemned Cash for her gross negligence, highlighting that her repeated failure to care for her child was not due to momentary inattention but a culmination of ongoing neglect. He pointed out that her preoccupations with drug use took precedence over her responsibilities as a mother.
Prosecutor Sarah Plaschkes QC detailed how social services had become increasingly concerned about Cash's behavior, especially after her eviction from multiple hotels. Despite efforts to engage her, Cash refused to cooperate, including failing to attend drug testing appointments. The case also revealed that Cash had been under the influence of drugs during the time of her son's death.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement indicating that Harrow Council has initiated a review of the case. They confirmed that a multi-agency serious case review is underway, commissioned by the Harrow Local Safeguarding Board, and further comments would be inappropriate until its findings are published.