The case of 13-month-old Preston Davey has raised difficult questions about what happened during the final months of his short life.

Preston was placed with prospective adoptive parents Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley at nine months old. Four months later, on July 27, 2023, he was taken to hospital unresponsive and could not be saved.

What initially appeared to be an accident was later challenged by medical and forensic evidence. Investigators found evidence of repeated abuse, while the prosecution established that Preston had suffered more than 40 injuries. Varley was ultimately convicted of mrder, while McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing a child’s dath and other offences.

The case has also prompted wider questions about safeguarding. Preston had been seen by doctors, nurses and social workers during the months before his d*ath, including several hospital visits. A safeguarding review is now examining the actions of the agencies involved in his care and whether opportunities to protect him were missed.

As that wider scrutiny continues, the focus is no longer only on what happened to Preston, but also on how the warning signs were handled before the tragedy.

👉 Source: Crown Prosecution Service — Preston Davey case 