ENFIELD MOTHER LAUREN SAINT GEORGE KILLS 10-WEEK-OLD DAUGHTER IN TRAGIC CASE
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Enfield Sexual Abuser
In a heartbreaking case that has shocked the community of Enfield, a mother named Lauren Saint George was involved in the tragic death of her 10-week-old daughter, Lily-Mai Hurrell Saint George. The incident occurred just days after Lily-Mai was discharged from hospital into her parents’ care, despite warnings from healthcare professionals about the risks involved.
On January 31, 2018, Lauren Saint George, aged 25 at the time, was suffering from postnatal depression, a condition that can severely impact a mother’s mental health and ability to care for her child. During this vulnerable period, she violently shook her infant daughter and also pulled and twisted Lily-Mai’s leg, actions that resulted in catastrophic injuries. The young girl sustained 18 fractured ribs, a broken leg, and a fatal head injury, which ultimately led to her death.
The tragic events unfolded hours after a social worker had conducted a home visit, raising questions about the adequacy of the care provided. Lily-Mai was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where medical staff fought to save her life. Despite their efforts, the extent of her brain damage was too severe, and on February 2, the hospital’s surgeons made the difficult decision to turn off her life support machine.
Six days prior to the assault, social services in Haringey had decided that Lily-Mai should be transferred into the sole care of her parents, Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, aged 25, despite warnings from professionals at Barnet Hospital. Medical staff had expressed concerns that the young girl was at significant risk of neglect if returned to her parents’ custody. The decision was made despite these warnings, which now appear to have been well-founded.
Prosecutor Sally O’Neill QC addressed the jury, emphasizing the tragic consequences of the decision: “Lily-Mai’s death could almost definitely have been avoided if she had not been discharged into the care of two people who were woefully unsuited to caring for her.”
Initially, the Metropolitan Police had considered the evidence insufficient to charge Lily-Mai’s parents. However, after a coroner’s inquest last year concluded that her death was unlawful, both Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell faced trial. The case was brought before the Old Bailey, where a jury deliberated for more than 11 hours. Ultimately, Lauren Saint George, of Enfield in north London, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter but was convicted of infanticide by a narrow majority of 10 to 1.
Infanticide is a specific legal charge applied when a mother kills her child while her mental state is disturbed, often due to the effects of childbirth. Both Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, of Alvaston in Derby, were acquitted of a separate charge of child cruelty. Previously, Mr. Justice Spencer had determined that Darren Hurrell had no case to answer for murder or manslaughter and dismissed charges against both parents related to causing or allowing the child’s death.
Following the verdicts, the judge adjourned sentencing Lauren Saint George until September 9 to allow for a report from the Probation Service. The judge also indicated that any prison sentence would be suspended, reflecting the complexities of the case.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the family had been living in a flat in Duckett’s Green, north London, while Lily-Mai was still hospitalized after being born prematurely at 31 weeks. Concerns about her care had been raised early on, with social workers and hospital staff expressing doubts about the parents’ ability to provide proper care. Theresa Ferguson, a social worker with Haringey Child and Family Services, was assigned to the case after worries about the parents’ capacity to care for Lily-Mai emerged.
Despite these concerns, a decision was made on January 22 to allow Lily-Mai to go home, with social services maintaining close contact. However, just before her discharge, police were called to the family’s flat over an alleged argument between Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, though no charges were filed at that time. On the same day, a referral was made for a “legal gateway meeting,” a process that could lead to intervention in the child’s care, but the social worker responsible went on annual leave shortly afterward.
Further visits by social workers and health visitors took place in the days leading up to Lily-Mai’s death. A social worker visited on January 26, and upon her return to work on January 30, Theresa Ferguson conducted a home visit, followed by health visitor Alberta Nyantaki. While Ms. Nyantaki believed Lily-Mai’s needs were being met, she also raised serious concerns about the child’s safety, which prompted further action. Ferguson confirmed that the threshold for a child protection plan had been met due to the volatility of the parents’ relationship.
On January 31, a legal gateway meeting was initiated, and Ferguson visited the family’s flat around 3 pm to discuss options, including the possibility of placing Lily-Mai in residential care or separating her from her mother. During this visit, Lauren Saint George swore at the social worker and refused to cooperate, even blaming Lily-Mai in a text message for not allowing her to sleep. Her inability to contain her emotions was evident, and the court heard that she was unable to maintain composure in front of social workers, which was seen as indicative of her mental state at the time.
Lauren Saint George was granted continued bail ahead of her sentencing, which is scheduled to take place at Wood Green Crown Court. The case continues to highlight the tragic consequences of inadequate oversight and the devastating impact of mental health issues on parenting, especially in cases involving vulnerable infants.
On January 31, 2018, Lauren Saint George, aged 25 at the time, was suffering from postnatal depression, a condition that can severely impact a mother’s mental health and ability to care for her child. During this vulnerable period, she violently shook her infant daughter and also pulled and twisted Lily-Mai’s leg, actions that resulted in catastrophic injuries. The young girl sustained 18 fractured ribs, a broken leg, and a fatal head injury, which ultimately led to her death.
The tragic events unfolded hours after a social worker had conducted a home visit, raising questions about the adequacy of the care provided. Lily-Mai was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where medical staff fought to save her life. Despite their efforts, the extent of her brain damage was too severe, and on February 2, the hospital’s surgeons made the difficult decision to turn off her life support machine.
Six days prior to the assault, social services in Haringey had decided that Lily-Mai should be transferred into the sole care of her parents, Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, aged 25, despite warnings from professionals at Barnet Hospital. Medical staff had expressed concerns that the young girl was at significant risk of neglect if returned to her parents’ custody. The decision was made despite these warnings, which now appear to have been well-founded.
Prosecutor Sally O’Neill QC addressed the jury, emphasizing the tragic consequences of the decision: “Lily-Mai’s death could almost definitely have been avoided if she had not been discharged into the care of two people who were woefully unsuited to caring for her.”
Initially, the Metropolitan Police had considered the evidence insufficient to charge Lily-Mai’s parents. However, after a coroner’s inquest last year concluded that her death was unlawful, both Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell faced trial. The case was brought before the Old Bailey, where a jury deliberated for more than 11 hours. Ultimately, Lauren Saint George, of Enfield in north London, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter but was convicted of infanticide by a narrow majority of 10 to 1.
Infanticide is a specific legal charge applied when a mother kills her child while her mental state is disturbed, often due to the effects of childbirth. Both Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, of Alvaston in Derby, were acquitted of a separate charge of child cruelty. Previously, Mr. Justice Spencer had determined that Darren Hurrell had no case to answer for murder or manslaughter and dismissed charges against both parents related to causing or allowing the child’s death.
Following the verdicts, the judge adjourned sentencing Lauren Saint George until September 9 to allow for a report from the Probation Service. The judge also indicated that any prison sentence would be suspended, reflecting the complexities of the case.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the family had been living in a flat in Duckett’s Green, north London, while Lily-Mai was still hospitalized after being born prematurely at 31 weeks. Concerns about her care had been raised early on, with social workers and hospital staff expressing doubts about the parents’ ability to provide proper care. Theresa Ferguson, a social worker with Haringey Child and Family Services, was assigned to the case after worries about the parents’ capacity to care for Lily-Mai emerged.
Despite these concerns, a decision was made on January 22 to allow Lily-Mai to go home, with social services maintaining close contact. However, just before her discharge, police were called to the family’s flat over an alleged argument between Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, though no charges were filed at that time. On the same day, a referral was made for a “legal gateway meeting,” a process that could lead to intervention in the child’s care, but the social worker responsible went on annual leave shortly afterward.
Further visits by social workers and health visitors took place in the days leading up to Lily-Mai’s death. A social worker visited on January 26, and upon her return to work on January 30, Theresa Ferguson conducted a home visit, followed by health visitor Alberta Nyantaki. While Ms. Nyantaki believed Lily-Mai’s needs were being met, she also raised serious concerns about the child’s safety, which prompted further action. Ferguson confirmed that the threshold for a child protection plan had been met due to the volatility of the parents’ relationship.
On January 31, a legal gateway meeting was initiated, and Ferguson visited the family’s flat around 3 pm to discuss options, including the possibility of placing Lily-Mai in residential care or separating her from her mother. During this visit, Lauren Saint George swore at the social worker and refused to cooperate, even blaming Lily-Mai in a text message for not allowing her to sleep. Her inability to contain her emotions was evident, and the court heard that she was unable to maintain composure in front of social workers, which was seen as indicative of her mental state at the time.
Lauren Saint George was granted continued bail ahead of her sentencing, which is scheduled to take place at Wood Green Crown Court. The case continues to highlight the tragic consequences of inadequate oversight and the devastating impact of mental health issues on parenting, especially in cases involving vulnerable infants.