A serious case review determined that there were “no missed opportunities” for professionals to prevent the death of a three-year-old boy murdered by his mother’s partner.
On 5 June 2018, Kemarni Watson Darby died of abdominal injuries after his rib cage was “crushed” in the couple’s West Bromwich apartment. His stepfather was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for the murder, and Kemarni’s mother was sentenced to 11 years for causing or allowing her son’s death.
On 5 June 2018, Kemarni Watson Darby died of abdominal injuries after his rib cage was “crushed” in the couple’s West Bromwich apartment.
In April, Nathaniel Pope, 32, was found guilty of his murder and sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison.
Alicia Watson, age 30, was found guilty of causing or allowing her son Kemarni’s death and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Kemarni expressed a desire not to return to his mother’s apartment following visits with his father, Darren Darby, who testified that he knew his son was being slapped, punched, and kicked by “strict” Watson.
He also stated that he had cautioned Watson about Pope and requested that she be wary of him.
Other family members, including Kemarni’s daycare, were also concerned about the injuries.
However, Lesley Hagger, chair of the Sandwell Children’s Safeguarding Partnership, stated on Friday that an independent review “concluded that no opportunities for professionals to intervene and prevent his death were missed.”
She added, “There were no identified safeguarding concerns regarding Kemarni before his death in 2018, and there was no direct involvement of children’s social services with him.
“Shocked and horrified”
This week, the sentences of Pope and Watson were referred to the Court of Appeal for review under the scheme for excessively lenient sentences.
The attorney general was “shocked and appalled” by the case, according to a spokesperson who confirmed the referral.
The Birmingham Crown Court trial heard that Kemarni suffered multiple fractures, “some of which would have required force comparable to a road traffic accident” or a “shod foot” stamping on his body.
Recent and non-recent injuries, including multiple fractures on both the left and right sides of his rib cage, caused by at least four distinct incidents, were discovered.
His liver and colon had also sustained extensive internal bruising and lacerations.
The court heard that Kemarni died of abdominal trauma, which “was most likely caused by a blow.”
Additional bruises were found on his head, mouth, neck, arms, chest, abdomen, back, and legs as a result of “repeated and, most likely, sustained assaults.”
“Cheerful little boy”
In April, weeks before his death, a health visitor observed Kemarni and described him as a “happy, sociable little boy.
Kemarni’s mother had taken him to a walk-in GP clinic at noon on the day of his death because he had been vomiting for five days.
Kemarni “displayed no signs of distress and there were no visible injuries,” according to the review.
It was also noted that he had no contact with agencies other than those providing “universal” services and that his interactions with medical professionals were not out of the ordinary.
Watson entrusted Pope with Kemarni for approximately forty minutes that afternoon. She returned home to discover her son unconscious.
