Finley Boden: Baby returned to murder-accused parents despite concerns

Stephen Boden and Shannon Marsden are standing trial at Derby Crown Court

A baby boy who died on Christmas Day after suffering "appalling" injuries was returned to the care of his murder-accused parents earlier than recommended, a court has heard.

Shannon Marsden and Stephen Boden are accused of murdering 10-month-old Finley Boden in 2020, 39 days after he was placed back in their care.

A report by the family's social worker had recommended a six-month transition.

This is longer than what was ordered at a hearing in October 2020.

Jurors have already heard Finley suffered a catalogue of injuries, including two burns - one likely "from a cigarette lighter flame" - 57 fractures and 71 bruises.

Prosecutors told a trial at Derby Crown Court that Mr Boden and Miss Marsden beat and burned the boy "in repeated acts of severe violence".

Jurors previously heard Finley was removed from his parents' care shortly after being born in February 2020 due to child protection concerns.

Several 'concerns'

On Tuesday, the jury heard that social worker Emiley Hollindale recommended a six-month transition back to them - longer than the eight-week period that was ordered at a court hearing in October 2020.

Ms Hollindale, who worked with the family from January 2020 until shortly after Finley's death, said she had concerns about their parenting capabilities.

The jury has not been told what evidence was heard for the October 2020 court hearing.

In her evidence, Ms Hollindale described how the couple's cannabis use was monitored by social services through hair-strand testing, because their substance abuse was a risk to Finley.

The court heard evidence that both parents used cannabis, with testing finding Miss Marsden had been smoking the drug while carrying her baby.

Ms Hollindale noted the couple's drug use as one of several "concerns" within a report which informed the October 2020 court proceedings.

She also spoke of being "verbally abused" by the couple from their bedroom window at the family home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Earlier, the trial heard evidence from social worker Jennifer Hancock, who had a half-hour telephone conversation with Miss Marsden on 11 February 2021.

Both parents had already been initially arrested at this time, with bail conditions ordering them not to contact one another while police investigations continued.

Ms Hancock said Miss Marsden was "irate, distressed, shouting, talking at great speed and swearing at me" during the call.

She said Miss Marsden alleged Boden "killed" Finley and she "didn't see it coming", also claiming her son "was beaten to death".

Mr Boden, 29, of Romford Way in Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, and 22-year-old Miss Marsden, of no fixed address, deny murder, two counts of child cruelty, and two charges of causing or allowing the death of a child.

The trial continues.