Inquest reveals failures in care for disabled mother and daughter

An inquest reveals serious shortcomings in the care of Alphonsine Djiako Leuga and her daughter.

Authorities failed to protect disabled girl found dead with mother

An inquest into the deaths of Alphonsine Djiako Leuga and her daughter Loraine Choulla has revealed significant failures in the support they received from local authorities. Just days before their tragic discovery, Alphonsine had been hospitalized due to critically low iron levels but was discharged despite obvious care needs. On February 2, during a desperate call for help, Alphonsine pleaded for an ambulance, yet the call was misclassified as abandoned. The coroner indicated that if help had arrived, Loraine might still be alive today. Furthermore, the inquest criticized Nottingham City Council's social care teams for not escalating concerns or involving the police in welfare checks, despite the evident risks. It was a bystander who ultimately contacted authorities, raising questions about the responsibility of professionals in such dire situations.

This tragic case highlights the critical vulnerabilities faced by disabled individuals and the systemic failures in social care. There are clear implications for how local authorities assess risk and respond to calls for assistance. The coroner's remarks underscore a worrying trend of neglect within social systems designed to protect the most vulnerable. It raises a broader question about public accountability in welfare provision and the urgent need for reform in emergency response protocols. The deaths of Alphonsine and Loraine serve as a grim reminder that when systems fail, the consequences can be devastating, leaving families shattered and communities questioning the reliability of support.

Highlights

The inquest calls for deeper reflection on how society cares for its most vulnerable members.