Couple wrongly arrested on suspicion of injuring their baby were hours from court hearing to take away children

A TRAUMATISED couple wrongly arrested on suspicion of injuring their baby say they are yet to receive an apology from social services over their ordeal.

Cameron Carruthers (29) and Julia Fry (33), from Holbury, were hours away from a court hearing to take their five children into foster care when they were given the all-clear.

According to the couple, an incorrect interpretation of X-rays had been enough to start a “horrible chain reaction” that nearly broke up their family.

Cameron told the A&T how events spiralled after his son Jax had been born about two months early in February.

The infant spent nearly seven weeks in the neonatal unit at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton before the couple could take him home.

However, Jax was rushed back on 21st April after he stopped breathing.

He underwent a number of scans, and doctors informed the couple their baby had numerous broken ribs and a potential bleed on the brain.

Shortly after, they were arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent.The children were signed over to the care of their grandparents and Cameron and Julie only had supervised visits

Cameron told the A&T: “This then started a horrible chain reaction which has quite frankly caused not only me and my partner trauma and pain but also the kids – and I solely hold the blame of this with social services.”

The X-rays error was revealed to the couple only when they received a call from the hospital on 10th May – the evening before the court case requested by social services to take the children into foster care.

Cameron said: “They said there may have been a mistake with the X-rays and Jax may not have had broken ribs at all – that it might have been either a bad X-ray or he had a bone growth issue due to him being premature.”

The next morning another call from the hospital confirmed there were no injuries.

Social services said the children could be returned to their parents’ care – but the family say they are yet to receive an apology for their treatment.

Cameron added: “The effect it has had on the family is devastating. Julia and I are both under therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and barely sleep because of it.

“It has been worse on the kids. Jax spent nearly a month without his mother and father – time needed to bond and learn with him.

“Dylan, our four-year-old, has been probably the worst affected. We’ve only just managed to get him to go to school without crying because he thinks someone will take him away from us.

“He also hates doctors and hospitals, and will have a breakdown if we say that he has to go to one for whatever reason.”

Cameron said their older three boys – Jake, Cam and Aaron – were also affected by the ordeal and he blasted a lack of support to help them recover.

The couple say that despite repeated requests to social services they never received any paperwork to state the case had been closed and the details of what had actually happened.

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said it could not comment on individual cases.

But they added: “Our staff are required to adhere to trust and NHS safeguarding protocols when caring for all children and adults. As such they are required to flag and escalate any case where they have concerns.

“On the rare occasion that a case is disproven, we are sorry for any distress caused to the individuals and families involved.

“We would encourage anyone with a complaint to contact our Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS) who will support you in resolving the issue or guide you through the official complaints procedure.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson told the A&T that for “confidentiality reasons” it also could not comment on the case.

But they added: “HCC’s children’s services will always act in the best interests of the children involved and will work closely with partners such as the NHS and all family members to ensure the best outcomes can be reached in each situation.”

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed no further action was taken against the couple following their initial arrest after “further enquiries established that the baby did not have the injuries that were first reported”.