Mary (Baby aged 24 months, UK)

Introduction

29 - dog trainer - Manchester, UK

Pregnancy and Birth

I am a single mother who had a wonderful birth experience and a great start with my son. He did suffer from severe colic due to reflux and CMPA, but apart from that, everything was perfect.

The Day Everything Changed

The first signs were small bruises on my toddler’s legs, arms, and back. These appeared after he started attending nursery. At home, he is very active, always climbing and falling, but the bruises I noticed were specifically linked to times when he returned from nursery.

When I observed these marks, I immediately questioned the staff at the nursery and then escalated my concerns. I also took him to doctors to ensure nothing medical was being overlooked. Despite this, the focus quickly shifted to me as a parent rather than on the nursery setting where I first reported the issues.

There was no cardiac massage or emergency intervention because he was never in a medical crisis — just bruised. He received medical care through GP and hospital checks, including blood tests, which were traumatic for him but done to cooperate fully with professionals.

When the Diagnosis Was Made

The suspicion of abuse began after I raised concerns about unexplained bruises on my child. I asked professionals to help me understand their origin. Instead of supporting me, the situation flipped, and I became the focus of suspicion.

My child was subjected to medical examinations, including full-body checks and blood tests, all of which found nothing unusual. I first realized I was being suspected when the questions directed at me felt accusatory, as if I were the problem rather than someone seeking help.

I felt the process was inappropriate because instead of acknowledging that toddlers fall, climb, and bruise easily (especially since both my child and I bruise slowly and visibly), the professionals treated every mark as evidence of abuse. Emotionally, it was devastating. I was terrified of losing my child, even though he was safe, loved, and cared for. It was heartbreaking to have to hold him down for blood tests on his birthday weekend, knowing it was unnecessary and traumatic for him.

My own view is that the bruises were from normal toddler behavior — constant falling, climbing, and bumping into things — combined with the fact that we both bruise easily. This reasonable explanation was ignored, and instead I was made to feel like a criminal for asking for help.

Inside the Legal System

I wasn’t arrested but was questioned by police and had to go through a formal investigation. At first, I was forced to have constant supervision whenever I was with my son, which felt like being separated from him in my own home. Social services became involved and carried out assessments.

There were no criminal charges or foster placement, but the whole process left me under suspicion for something I hadn’t done. The case never went to court, but I had to live as if I was guilty, constantly watched and judged.

Living Under Suspicion

Emotionally, it was hell. I felt like I was being constantly judged and treated as guilty when I had done nothing wrong. The stress of being watched every moment with my own child broke my trust in professionals and made me feel like a criminal in my own home.

It damaged my health, left me anxious, and made everyday life exhausting. My son’s birthday weekend was ruined because I had to pin him down for blood tests that were only happening due to the accusations. That memory will always stay with me.

Financially, it put pressure on me as well, because I had to adjust everything around the investigation and constant scrutiny.

Even now, I live on edge, more protective than ever, and have installed cameras all over my home just for peace of mind. The fear and anger are still there — but so is the determination to fight back and make sure no other parent goes through what I did.

For consistency across testimonies, this text may have been slightly edited or translated by artificial intelligence. If you notice any error or inconsistency, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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