Boy taken from family for being a fussy eater

THE parents of a fussy-eating toddler have finally been cleared of neglect after he was wrongly taken into care.

Lisa and Paul Hessey spent a year fighting social workers after their son was taken into care Lisa and Paul Hessey spent a year fighting social workers after their son was taken into care

Lisa and Paul Hessey have spent a year fighting social workers after hospital doctors raised concerns over their son Zak’s “failure to thrive”.

Officials said the Hesseys were not feeding Zak, two-and-a-half, and took him away after they had brought him for a hospital assessment.

The couple suspected Zak was autistic but claim they were repeatedly ignored.

Now specialists have confirmed he does have a developmental disorder and last week, a judge dismissed a family court case brought by social services.

But the couple say they have been “dragged through mud”.

Mrs Hessey, 28, of Bolsover, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, said: “It has been a nightmare. We wanted to clear our names because we didn’t do anything wrong. When we took Zak to hospital we never thought this would happen. The doctors refused to listen to us, they were determined to take him.”

Mr Hessey, 48, said: “It has taken us a whole year to get him proper help and we have been through hell for no reason. The authorities seem to think they are God.”

In May last year, the couple – who have four other children – took Zak to their GP over his fussy eating and slow weight gain.

The doctor and health visitor suggested Zak could be suffering from autism and referred him to Chesterfield Royal Hospital where doctors thought he was “delayed and showing autistic tendencies” and sent him home, ordering health workers to make contact.

But no help came and on June 6, Zak became very ill. At hospital, doctors suggested Zak go on a dairy-free diet. Later, they recommended crisps and chocolate but his parents objected to him gorging on snacks.

On July 10, they took Zak for a feeding assessment but did not realise that once they gave him to medics, it would be the last time he would be with them for four months until November 17.

Earlier this year, an independent assessment confirmed Zak was autistic and is now eating with help and advice from the Autistic Society.

Derbyshire County Council said workers act in what they believe are the child’s interests.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital said: “We will always take action if we are concerned.”

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