Toddler abandoned by father, court hears

A 12-month-old boy whose mother died six months after he was born has been abandoned by his father, a family court judge has said.

The youngster, who was born prematurely and needed life-saving surgery, has been placed for adoption.

Details of the case emerged in a ruling by Judge Simon Wood following a family court hearing in Newcastle upon Tyne.

“This court deals with many very sad cases,” the judge said.“But this one, I have to say, is particularly so.”

The little boy’s father had been in prison when he was born, the judge said.

Judge Wood added that the man had now “disappeared entirely from the scene” and abandoned the little boy.

Social services bosses at South Tyneside Council had asked the judge to rule that he should be placed for adoption.

Judge Wood said there was no realistic alternative.