Parents failed to get medical help for daughter's head lice

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 08:39

A MOTHER and father from Edinburgh neglected their daughter by failing to get medical treatment for her severe case of head lice and skin conditions, a court has been told.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard a social worker visited the family's home to check on the health of one of the children, seven.

Fiscal depute John Kirk said the social worker realised there was no sign of one of the children and was told the youngster was unwell.

He said: "The witness went to see her in bed and found she was in quite an unpleasant state. Her hair was matted, her scalp appeared to be infected, an ear was swollen and she had a severe case of head lice.

"The diagnosis was she was suffering from scabies, impetigo and a very bad case of head lice."

The mother, 30, and father, 32, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously admitted neglecting their daughter in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering. Sheriff Neil MacKinnon ordered the couple to behave for six months and also called for additional background reports.