Seren Bernard inquest: Low mood 'not flagged as urgent'

An inquest heard how Seren Bernard talked of going to the Netherlands to receive a lethal injection

A social worker's message about the low mood of a 14-year-old who was later found hanged was "not flagged as urgent", an inquest has heard.

Seren Bernard was found dead in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, in April 2012.

Karina Russell of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services told the Milford Haven hearing a social worker left the message with a secretary on 16 March.

She said: "We did not think it was an urgent request, but we did take it seriously."

Ms Russell said there was no indication from the content of the message that urgent action was required.

"It was not flagged up as urgent," she said, adding that contact was made with the social worker five days later.

Lethal injection

The inquest heard Seren's foster parents reported a deterioration in her mood, saying she was like "a different girl" and had mentioned going to the Netherlands for a lethal injection.

Ms Russell also said support workers were unable to uncover the truth about Seren's rape allegation in the months leading up to her death.

The inquest heard she claimed she was raped, but had refused to discuss it.

Ms Russell added: "It's not clear if it happened or not. She said it happened and then retracted it.

"You can't force a child to speak about something they are not ready to speak about."

The coroner is expected to deliver a conclusion on Thursday.