Daniel Pelka: MP Slams School
Over Death
Children's services and the young boy's school are criticised for putting "bureaucracy before common sense and compassion".
Video: Daniel Pelka: Lessons To Be Learned
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Teachers and social service staff "badly let down" an abused boy who was then murdered by his mum and stepfather and should consider quitting their positions, an MP has said.
Daniel Pelka, four, was subjected to a horrifying catalogue of assaults and callous abuse at the hands of Magdelena Luczak and Mariusz Krezolek, who were convicted of his murder on Wednesday.
MP for Coventry North West Geoffery Robinson said the case was "horrifyingly reminiscent" of the Baby Peter case in 2007, when Haringey child protection services failed to prevent the death of toddler Peter Connolly.
Mr Robinson has called for the immediate resignation of the city's Director of Children's Services, Colin Green - who intends to step down in September - and said those serving under him should also consider their positions.
"Where were these individuals when Daniel needed them most?" he asked. "Bureaucracy triumphed over common sense, care, and compassion.
"Those who failed Daniel must examine their own consciences, and conclude whether it is appropriate for them to remain in their posts."
Daniel died of a head injury in March 2012 after suffering months of cruelty and violence which turned him from "a beautiful little boy to a bag of bones", according to police.
He was imprisoned in a room with the door handles removed, fed salt when he asked for a drink, deprived of food and forced to defecate in his bed.
Mr Robinson expressed anger at Daniel's school, which failed to act upon warning signs that suggested he was being abused.
"Daniel was let down," he said. "He was let down badly, by an evil stepfather, an indifferent and selfish mother, but also by the Children's Services in Coventry and by the school that he attended.
"How can the staff at his school have failed to have recognised patterns of behaviour that should have set alarm bells ringing, not only within the school but within the corridors of power within the council?
"How could anyone believe it to be normal for a child to climb on the top of furniture to get to food; to scavenge around bins to access waste; and to steal food from the lunch-boxes?
"What human being, with the slightest understanding of children, would not have been concerned enough to take action to set alarm bells ringing?"
Daniel's biological father, who moved back to Poland when the boy was one year old, echoed Mr Robinson and questioned why "nobody reacted in time" to ask why Daniel was so hungry.
"If people in school saw that he was taking a food from bins, they should do something," he said. "Go to Magda, or to Mariusz, and ask why the child is hungry.
"They should send the police or social services to check the situation at home; check what they were doing with the child.
"As far as I know they did just nothing. Of course they failed Daniel. Nobody reacted in time. I am not saying they are guilty, but I know they made a mistake."
Luczak and Krezolek will be sentenced on Friday.
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