My little girl was taken from me for getting 'Nappy Rash'


My little girl was taken from me for getting 'Nappy Rash' by Sunday Mercury (Article now discontinued) A MIDLAND dad has revealed his heartbreak search for the daughter taken away by social services 20 years ago -because she had nappy rash. Fassit member/Derick Gibson has thought about Donna Marie every day since she was whisked into care at just 18 months old. Social workers feared the child was being neglected because she had nappy rash - claims that her parents always denied. Now the former warehouse worker is making an emotional appeal for information about Donna Marie's whereabouts, a search sparked by the recent death of his own father. "Social services said Donna Marie was not being cared for properly and that she had nappy rash," recalled Derick from Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. "But she was being looked after properly- and what baby doesn't get nappy rash?" He added: "I would so love to get in touch with Donna Marie, who I believe could be living in the Streetly or Rugeley areas. If she reads this, I would say: please contact me because I still love and miss you lots. "I have never forgotten you and this is breaking my heart." Donna Marie was born to Derick and a long-term girlfriend, who we are not naming for legal reasons, but the couple later split up. The father claims that Staffordshire Social Services took the toddler into care because of concerns about her welfare after spotting she had severe nappy rash. Derick explained: "Me and my girlfriend had got together in 1982 and decided to start trying for a baby. 'Neglected' Derick was sent this picture of Donna Marie, aged four Do you know Donna Marie or are you searching for your lost family? Write to Sunday Mercury Reunions, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AY or e-mail: SundayMercury@mrn.co.uk Terrible I was doing warehouse work for a clothing company and we were so happy when she discovered she was pregnant. When Donna Marie arrived, she was beautiful. She was perfectly healthy and happy. I was over the moon and so proud when I held her in my arms. I felt like I was walking on air. I showed her to my dad, Ted, but my mum never saw her because she died shortly after Donna Marie was born. We didn't get a chance to show her off to everyone because social services took her away from us. Me and my girlfriend bad split at the time but they should never have taken our baby away. She was happy and I would have cared for her properly. "I was so distraught and still feel terrible about it today." He added: "My dad passed away from cancer in February, and that prompted me to launch a fresh search for Donna Marie. He would have been so happy to see me reunited with my daughter. I've written to social services, asking them to let Donna Marie know I've searched for her on many occasions. I've also placed notices in newspapers, but I haven't had any luck so far. I will keep searching, though. I just want to see her again." Last night, a Staffordshire County Council Social Services spokesman said: "It is not our policy to comment on individual cases. But the Social Care and Health Directorate has received regular correspondence and telephone calls from Mr Gibson and we are complying fully with the daughter's wishes. by FB fionnuala_bourke@mrn.co.uk Do you know Donna Marie or are you searching for your lost family? Write to Sunday Mercury Reunions, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AY or e-mail SundayMercury@mrn.co.uk (Article now discontinued) Back