Baby girl involved in forced C-section adopted

The daughter of a mentally-ill Italian woman forced to give birth by Caesarean section in the UK has been adopted by “good and loving people”, a top family judge has announced.

The case, which first unfolded in secrecy, was later reported and commented on around the world and led to James Munby, president of the family division of the High Court, calling for “radical changes” and greater “transparency” in the family courts.

He has now disclosed for the first time that he had made an adoption order on April 1 this year.

“This is the final chapter in the litigation relating to Alessandra Pacchieri and her daughter P,” he said.

Child P was born in August 2012 after a health trust looking after Ms Pacchieri since June 2012 under the Mental Health Act made the application to the courts for the C-section because of concerns about risks to mother and child.

Ms Pacchieri later told an Italian newspaper she had been left traumatised by the incident, adding: “I want my daughter back. I’m suffering like an animal.”

But the final email from the mother which arrived on March 28 this year did not challenge the adoption of her daughter in the UK but said: “I wish for my daughter the best.”

Ms Pacchieri, 35, who suffers from bipolar disorder, is reported to have come to Britain whilst pregnant to attend a training course with an airline at Stansted Airport in Essex.

After she stopped taking medication, she had a panic attack and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The Court of Protection gave the health trust permission for doctors to carry out a Caesarean section, and the newborn child was taken into care by Essex social services.

Ms Pacchieri last had contact with her daughter on May 22, 2013.