Case No. ZC20C00674

17.The core bundle of documents provided to the court for this finding of fact hearing exceeds 8000 pages. There are other bundles including a bundle comprising documents found by the police on AB’s laptop. The volume of documentation is largely accounted for by the extensive police investigations including multiple interviews and interrogations of numerous mobile phone devices. I heard oral evidence from Dr Clarke, Consultant Obstetrician, a Senior Clinical Specialist Nurse, a Key Worker form the Day Centre, a GP from KB’s GP Practice, PC Gillam who was the officer in charge of the criminal investigation, Mr Canning, from the Office of the Public Guardian, JK, who was paid to care for KB, the allocated social worker, and from GH, AB, CD, and EF. GH attended remotely from prison throughout the hearing and screens in court were used when needed to protect members of KB’s family from seeing him whilst he gave evidence. When he was not giving evidence his camera was turned off. He required an interpreter. Unfortunately, partly because of difficulties with interpreters and the prison link, the evidence could not be concluded in the expected time and so an additional date for concluding the evidence had to be found. CD therefore gave her evidence some weeks later. Written submissions were then received and time had to be extended for their receipt due to the commitments of certain Counsel. 18.The findings sought by the Local Authority require determination because, if proved, the findings would have serious implications for the viability of LB’s future care being within the family. In the absence of certain findings being made, the possibility of LB being cared for within the family would remain. AB, CD and EF have all put themselves forward as permanent carers for LB either by themselves or jointly with each other.