A CRUEL mum who stood by as her lover murdered her two-year-old daughter is set to be released early from jail.

Dana Carr, now 27, turned a blind eye to the horrific abuse Michael Daymond inflicted on little Maya Chappell.

She also lied about the toddler’s bruises before Daymond shook the youngster to death after his Universal Credit was stopped.

Maya tragically suffered a string of injuries that were likened to a car accident or a fall from a tall building.

Carr was locked up for nine years in 2023 after being convicted of allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.

But she could be freed just three years into her sentence, Maya’s devastated family have revealed.

The toddler’s aunts say they were contacted by the Ministry of Justice this week, notifying them about the prospect of Carr’s early release.

Gemma Chappell said there is “no hope for future victims” if those responsible for “sickening crimes” are allowed to walk free after serving a small part of their jail sentence.

She added: “This makes a complete mockery of the whole judicial system.

“The hours that the police, CPS and others put in to convict her, it’s a disgusting joke.

“There is no hope for victims. She showed up at the funeral, knowing what had happened and what she had done – she has no shame.

“Maya was a beautiful little girl who won’t ever get a future.”

Under the Sentencing Act 2026, those who previously would have been released after serving 40 or 50 per cent of their sentence are now become eligible to be released one-third through their term.

Prisoners who would previously have been released at the two thirds point – typically for more serious offences – will now become eligible for release mid-way through.

Maya’s great-aunt Gemma, a police officer, said the prospect of early release sets a “dangerous precedent” in the future – including for Daymond’s jail sentence.

“It’s effectively making victims want to stay silent,” Gemma added.

“The impact on the family of Dana getting out of prison makes it horrific for us.

“We’ve got to a place where some days are good, some days are bad, but knowing that she could be walking the streets while little Maya will never get a future is heart-breaking.”

The court heard Carr and Dayond began dating in 2022 and moved in together a month before Maya’s death.

The mum was so infatuated with Daymond she “turned a “blind eye” to the abuse her daughter was suffering.

When the dad messaged again the following day, he dismissed the claims and said: “Had Maya had been seen in this condition at a nursery there would be an immediate referral to social services.”

As a result, jurors heard Carr removed their daughter from nursery and told her former partner Daymond was no longer around.

On September 28, 2022, she left her violent boyfriend to look after Maya alone.

In the hours leading up to the attack on September 28 last year, he had made repeated calls and log-in attempts to sort out his Universal Credit status.

By around 2pm, Daymond, who was looking after Maya alone, discovered he had been cut off.

Ninety minutes later, he made a 999 call saying Maya was “gasping for breath” and although her eyes were open, it was “like she wasn’t there”.

As Carr raced back home, she texted Daymond, saying “I’m coming”, “please don’t leave me” and “are you ok”.

Maya was rushed to hospital but died two days later after never regaining consciousness.

A post mortem showed her death was not a “one-off” event but the culmination of a series of ᴀssaults.

Daymond was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for murder in 2023.

Following Carr’s sentencing, she launched a bid to have her jail term reduced but this was dismissed by the Court of Appeal last April.