Chesterfield, Derbyshire – A heartbreaking story unfolds as a baby, Finley Boden, tragically dies on Christmas Day in 2020 at the mere age of 10 months. What makes this tragedy even more devastating is the fact that Finley was killed by his own parents, Stephen Boden and Shannon Marsden, just 39 days after being returned to their care. A recent safeguarding review revealed shocking details about the level of neglect and abuse Finley endured at the hands of his own parents.
The report highlighted numerous missed opportunities that could have potentially prevented Finley’s death, shedding light on the significant shortcomings in the care he received. It was revealed that Finley suffered a staggering 130 injuries before his untimely death, painting a grim picture of the environment he was in. Despite concerns over the parents’ drug use and violent history, Finley was still placed back into their care, a decision that ultimately cost him his life.
The review also pointed out the impact of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, which played a role in allowing the parents to deceive authorities and evade intervention. With the lead social worker in the case being absent for six weeks due to illness, critical visits to check on Finley’s well-being were neglected, further contributing to the tragedy.
Authorities acknowledged that while Finley’s parents were responsible for his death, there were significant professional interventions that should have been in place to protect the vulnerable child. The report emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, urging partners to implement all necessary measures to safeguard children in similar situations.
Amidst the heartbreaking details that emerged during the trial, it was revealed that Finley endured a harrowing ordeal of sustained abuse and neglect. The court heard about the extensive injuries he suffered, including 57 breaks to his bones, 71 bruises, and two burns on his hand. The judge described the murder as “savage and prolonged,” with a clear sadistic motivation behind the heinous act.
As the community grapples with the devastating loss of Finley Boden, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of robust child safeguarding measures and the need for swift intervention in situations of abuse and neglect. The tragedy has sparked calls for greater vigilance and accountability within social services to prevent similar incidents and protect vulnerable children from falling through the cracks.