The relatives of a tragic toddler, Maya Chappell, have been informed that their efforts for new protective measures honoring her memory might not come to fruition any time soon.
Only two years old, Maya, who lived in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, suffered a horrendous fate in 2022 at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, Michael Daymond. He was arrested and subsequently jailed for life in December 2023 after it was revealed he had inflicted a critical head injury on her.
While a discussion in Parliament aimed to address the pressing issue of future child fatalities, Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister indicated that it’s not the ideal time to initiate a proposal known as “Maya’s Law” that could help avert such heart-wrenching incidents.
Maya’s family is pushing for a child risk disclosure scheme. This would mean that pertinent information about a child’s guardians or caregivers would be shared with parents to better ensure their safety. They believe that more effective communication across various agencies and prompt interventions could save lives.
Maya passed away on September 30, 2022, just days after 27-year-old Daymond called emergency services claiming she was unwell. Meanwhile, Maya’s mother, Dana Carr, aged 24, ignored the signs of repeated abuse directed at her daughter and was sentenced to nine years in jail for her role in allowing Maya’s wrongful death.
The family asserts that if there had been strict laws requiring disclosure of a caregiver’s background, Maya would still be with them today. Their petition campaigning for Maya’s Law has already gathered over 5,000 signatures in support.
Maya’s great aunt, Rachael Walls, mentioned that her efforts to advocate for their cause in Parliament have been a source of comfort during their grieving process.
Local MP Liz Twist described Maya as an innocent child who loved cake, playtime, and Peppa Pig, and made an emotional appeal for closing existing gaps in the communication networks between the police, NHS, social services, and educational institutions, emphasizing the need to safeguard children more effectively.
MacAlister lauded the family’s tireless advocacy and stated that there’s a pressing need for legal changes. However, he mentioned that implementing a child risk disclosure scheme isn’t feasible at the current moment, although he noted that certain components of their proposition might align with ongoing reforms to children’s social care. Additionally, he has committed to further discussions with Maya’s family.
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