Review into boy's heroin overdose

A serious case review is being launched after a one-year-old boy died from a heroin overdose.

Daniel Jones, aged 23 months, was pronounced dead at a house in the Penn area of Wolverhampton after paramedics were called there on Tuesday May 29.

A 33-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were remanded in custody at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court charged with Daniel's manslaughter and of causing or allowing the death of a child.

Emma Bradburn and Simon Jones, both of Windsor Avenue, in Penn, indicated not guilty pleas to the charges against them. They are both set to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on March 7 for a plea and case management hearing.

The review has been launched by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board - a multi-agency body made up of key personnel in Wolverhampton City Council's children's services department and representatives from other public bodies including the police, NHS, and schools as well as charities.

Mel Ryan, Wolverhampton City Council's corporate communications manager, said: "Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board will be conducting a serious case review into the death of the 23-month-old child."

The reviews are carried out in every case where abuse or neglect is known or suspected, and a child is either seriously harmed or dies as a result.

The review will scrutinise how local professionals and services worked together, concerning the welfare of the child.