Dainton Gittos

On 20 April 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Dainton Harley Hill Cressell GITTOS aged 11. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 31 August 2022. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Dainton died as a result of the parent’s neglect in not supervising Dainton, who was a vunerable child whilst he had a bath on 22nd January 2021 which contributed directly to the main cause of his death which from the Home Office pathologist’s report was as follows The full medical cause of death being: 1a. Consistent with drowning
2. Cerebral Palsy due to congenital cytomegalovirus infection

1.Father gave child bath
2.Did not follow the manufacturer’s guidance
3.Left the child unsupervised
4.Told mother he was in the bath, yet mother says he told her he was in bed.
5.The child was found unresponsive by mother sometime later still in the bath
6.The child had cerebral palsy
7.The child could not speak, bear his own body weight and was unable to call out for help.
8.Slid under the water and drowned.
9.Social services records indicate child protection conferences were held in 2010-2011and 2013 -2014 under category of neglect and emotional harm
10.In 2014,2015 and 2017 registered as a child in need.
11.The expert for the police Dr. stated “All that can be stated with certainty is that if a carer were present and or the bath was filled in an unoccupied sate that this outcome would not have occurred”
12.CPS concede a) It is beyond doubt that Dainton was a child and lacked capacity b) had responsibility for Dainton c)There was a failure by father to use the none-slip mattress in the bath d)There is no doubt the lack of supervision of Dainton when he was in the bath amounted to neglect e)Both suspects deny they were responsible for supervising Dainton when he was in the bath after father had left him
13.Extensive Class B drugs were found at the scene