HECKMONDWIKE MAN DANIEL SHEARD AND LUCY DAMEN SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND NEGLECT INVOLVING BABY KAYLEIGH

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Heckmondwike, a young couple has been held accountable for the severe neglect and cruelty inflicted upon their 18-week-old daughter, Kayleigh. The heartbreaking events unfolded in September 2013, when paramedics discovered the fragile infant in a distressing state at their former residence on Foldings Avenue in Cleckheaton.

According to court proceedings, Kayleigh was found strapped into her bouncy chair in front of a gas fire that was burning at maximum heat. The discovery was made after her father, Daniel Sheard, 24, called emergency services around 4:10 a.m., claiming that the baby was unresponsive and appeared to have collapsed. Sheard, who recently resided on Indus Close in Heckmondwike, reported that he had placed her in front of the fire to wake her up, a decision that would later be scrutinized heavily by the court.

Upon arrival, paramedics observed that Kayleigh was dressed in a babygrow and white socks, with her face smeared in Sudacrem antiseptic cream. The scene revealed multiple injuries, including burns to her face, bite marks, and extensive fractures to her right shoulder and ribs. The post-mortem examination uncovered a series of old and new injuries: fractured bones, some healed, and fresh fractures to her ribs, which the court determined were non-accidental injuries. The medical evidence also indicated that at least one rib fracture occurred while she was still alive, likely during clumsy attempts at CPR by her father.

Despite the severity of her injuries, the cause of her death could not be definitively established, as investigators found no evidence to suggest she died from an unlawful act. The court noted that her internal and external injuries pointed to prolonged neglect and physical abuse. The injuries included fractures to her ribs and bones that had been inflicted over a period of time, with some injuries dating back weeks before her death. The court heard that her parents failed to seek timely medical assistance, instead attempting to conceal the extent of her injuries by changing her clothes, smothering her with Sudacrem, and placing her in front of the fire to hide the delay in seeking help.

During the trial at Leeds Crown Court, the jury found Daniel Sheard guilty of cruelty by neglect, while Lucy Damen, 22, pleaded guilty to the same charge several weeks prior. The prosecution had initially charged both with manslaughter, but this was dropped due to insufficient evidence to prove that her death resulted from an unlawful act. The court heard that Damen admitted to neglect, but Sheard chose to stand trial, which ultimately resulted in his conviction.

Judge Tom Bayliss QC sentenced Sheard to six years in prison and Damen to four and a half years. In his remarks, the judge emphasized that their conduct represented “protracted if not long-term neglect over one third of this child’s short life.” He pointed out that although the injuries were severe, the court was not sentencing them for causing her death but for the ongoing neglect that led to her suffering. The judge also highlighted that Kayleigh, who had thrived in her early months, would have been in pain from her injuries, yet her parents failed to seek professional help during the critical weeks.

Judge Bayliss further stated that both defendants knew the injuries were non-accidental and deliberately sought to conceal the truth. He explained that one of the rib fractures occurred while Kayleigh was alive, likely during Sheard’s attempt at CPR, but the evidence suggested that the couple’s efforts to hide her injuries extended even beyond her death. They changed her clothes, smothered her in Sudacrem, and placed her in front of the fire to obscure the delay in seeking medical aid. The judge acknowledged their youth and the pressures of caring for a young child but made it clear that there was no justification for their actions. He also condemned Sheard’s lack of remorse and dishonesty during the trial, asserting that both individuals had demonstrated they were unfit to care for children.

The case has left the community of Heckmondwike deeply disturbed, highlighting the tragic consequences of neglect and abuse within a family setting. The sentencing is expected to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating impact of parental neglect.