Stabbed child's mother was assessed

Aug 14 2007



A mother whose toddler was found stabbed to death in her home was assessed by social services last week and allowed to keep the child.

The woman was found with stab wounds next to the body of the girl, believed to be two, in a flat in Barking, east London.

She has been named as Congolese national Ntsimbi Galtricia, 23, by a refugee group who helped her gain access to benefits. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Local people said they had raised concerns for the welfare of the girl after Ms Galtricia was banned from local shops because of her erratic behaviour.

Barking and Dagenham Council confirmed a mental health assessment had been carried out on the woman five days ago. "She was found not to have any mental healthcare issues," a spokeswoman said.

The Community of Congolese Refugees said a woman called Ms Galtricia who lived at the address where the attack took place had visited them several times.

Welfare officer Mwan Kilapi last saw the mother in March. He said he knew nothing of her immigration status or how long she had been in Britain, but confirmed she was from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.

He said he had helped her gain access to benefits and when he last saw her she did not mention her asylum status. "She seemed okay, not stressed then," Mr Kilapi said.

The dead toddler was named locally as Balthous.

Scotland Yard said it would not confirm the names of the mother or daughter until the girl's father had been traced. It is understood he may be in Paris.