NATALIE TERRY'S HORRIFIC NEGLECT IN DARTFORD AND CATFORD: CHILD LEFT ALONE FOR FIVE DAYS

In a distressing case that has shocked the local communities of Dartford and Catford, a six-year-old girl was found to have been left completely alone in her home for a staggering five days. The young girl, who was visibly upset and trembling, approached a neighbor on Willow Road in Dartford, seeking help and revealing a heartbreaking message: “Mum has left me for five days and she has not come back.”

According to court proceedings, the child was in a state of hysterical sobbing and was visibly shaken, indicating the severe emotional distress she endured during her prolonged period of abandonment. The girl’s survival during this time was precarious; she managed to sustain herself by eating crisps, drinking water, and watching television to pass the time. Her situation highlighted the neglect she suffered at the hands of her mother, Natalie Terry, who was later held accountable for child cruelty.

Police were promptly called to the scene, and Terry, aged 28, was arrested at her residence. During her police interview, she bluntly admitted to her neglectful actions, stating simply, “I neglected my daughter, end of.” Her flat, located in Dartford, was described as sparsely furnished, with no carpets and an extremely cold environment, typical of a winter setting. Despite having a flat-screen television, the living conditions were far from suitable for a child. The kitchen was found to be dirty, with minimal food supplies, and the presence of a kitten that had defecated in every room further underscored the neglect.

When Terry returned home after her arrest, she approached a neighbor, inquiring if she had seen her daughter. Upon learning that the police had taken the child into custody, Terry declared with apparent resignation, “I will not get her back.” She explained to officers that she worked night shifts at a shop in Woolwich, attempting to return home before her daughter woke up. She expressed her efforts to earn money and maintain her employment, despite the circumstances.

The young girl, now eight years old, recounted her experience to police, revealing that she had dressed for school and waited for her mother to return. When her mother did not come back, she took off her school uniform and watched television, surviving on crisps, yoghurt, and water during the five days in November 2010. The court was told that the girl felt sad and lonely, especially upon realizing she was entirely alone. It was clarified that she was not locked in the flat, but the neglect was evident.

In her statement, Terry admitted to leaving her daughter alone on other occasions for short periods. Following the incident, the girl was placed into care and later moved to live with her grandmother. Currently residing at Wildfell Road in Catford, Terry is now subject to supervised contact with her daughter. A report presented to the court expressed concern that breaking this contact could be devastating for the girl, emphasizing that she might feel responsible if her mother faced immediate imprisonment.

Judge Martin Joy addressed the court, expressing deep concern over the case. He highlighted the distress and fear experienced by the young girl, noting that she was living in “utterly insanitary conditions” and was in a state of fear and distress for a significant period in November. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense, describing it as one of high culpability, and concluded that a non-custodial sentence would not be appropriate given the circumstances.

Defending solicitor Trevor Wright conveyed that Terry felt genuine remorse for her actions and the harm caused to her daughter. Wright explained that Terry had spent eight months in a refuge following domestic violence and had moved into her current flat with nothing. He described her financial struggles, including rent arrears, which overwhelmed her and contributed to her inability to provide basic necessities. Wright emphasized that Terry had become overwhelmed and withdrawn, unable to articulate her difficulties at the time, which led to her neglectful behavior.