(The baby was kept in a drawer by her mother)
In February 2023, a man returned to his girlfriend’s house in Cheshire, UK, for a brief visit. While using the bathroom, he heard what seemed to be the sound of a baby coming from upstairs. Upon investigating, he made a horrifying discovery: a young baby girl, barely seven months old, in a shocking state of neglect.
The Discovery of the Forgotten Child
The baby, severely malnourished, was found in a drawer under the bed, her hair tangled and her body covered in rashes. The infant had a cleft palate, and her physical condition was alarming. Upon calling the authorities, a social worker arrived at the scene, only to be equally stunned by the sight. The child was sitting in the drawer, rocking back and forth, looking up at the social worker as if this confined space was her entire world. 
The Mother’s Admission: Three Years of Neglect
When the mother returned, she admitted to being the baby’s mother, but revealed a shocking truth: her child was not just seven months old; she was about to turn three in a few weeks. For nearly three years, the infant had been living in this cramped drawer. The mother seemed utterly indifferent, responding nonchalantly when asked about the situation: “Yes, in the drawer,” without a hint of remorse or concern.
The Harrowing Reality of Isolation
The baby had never seen anyone other than her mother. She had never been outside, never felt sunlight or fresh air. For three years, she existed in that small, dark drawer. When rescued, the baby was in severe condition—unable to walk, talk, or even make sounds. She was malnourished, severely dehydrated, and had weakened muscles. Her legs were swollen and twisted, and her body showed signs of extreme neglect.
Doctors were stunned by the baby’s development delay—she had the physical and mental abilities of a 10-month-old. Her health problems were numerous, including a cleft palate and other untreated conditions. Tragically, her mother had not sought any medical help or care for her.
The Startling Confession
During the investigation, the mother explained that she hadn’t even realized she was pregnant until she gave birth to the child in a bathtub in March 2020. She had been in an abusive relationship with the child’s father and didn’t want him to know about the baby’s existence. She never registered the birth or told anyone about the child, even her own family. The mother showed clear disdain for the baby, even telling the police that the child was “not part of the family.”
To keep her secret, she hid the baby in the drawer under her bed. Whenever her boyfriend stayed over, she would move the baby to another room, leaving her alone for hours without proper food or care. The mother only occasionally fed her with a syringe, giving her little more than milk and cereal. During the day, while she went to work or took her other children to school, the baby was left alone in the drawer for hours, sometimes even overnight.
A Miracle of Survival
It is nothing short of a miracle that the child survived three years of such horrific conditions. However, her rescue marked the beginning of her long road to recovery. She now requires constant care and attention. Caregivers have noted that she has never learned how to smile and is unaware of what food is. When placed in a swing, she simply sits there, motionless, not knowing how to play. Her first steps, her first words—everything is a new experience for her.
A Mother’s Cruelty
The mother’s behavior was described as utterly heartless, going far beyond neglect into the realm of cruelty. The judge who sentenced her could hardly contain his anger: “Your actions are incomprehensible and evil. You deprived that little girl of love, care, and the attention she needed. You isolated her from all human interaction, providing neither proper nutrition nor medical care.”
“The consequences of this abuse were catastrophic, physically, mentally, and socially. The child is now recovering from what can only be described as a state of being almost a ‘living corpse.’”
The Verdict
Despite attempting to defend her actions, claiming that the drawer was never closed, the mother could not escape the truth of her abuse. She was convicted of four charges of child abuse and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for her extreme negligence.
Now, her daughter has a long journey of healing ahead, but with the proper care, she may one day recover from the trauma she endured.
