A mother and her twin daughter are advocating for stricter measures against parents who inflict serious harm on their children after a tragic incident involving the death of a baby following an arm injury caused by the father. Jo Early expressed concern over the father, Gavin Gibbs, being allowed contact with their daughter Abi despite his conviction for causing severe harm to their son, Charlie.
While not found guilty of killing the infant, Gibbs faced a conviction for fracturing Charlie’s arm. Currently, under “Jade’s Law,” parental rights are revoked only in cases where a partner is convicted of murder. Jo is now pushing for a broader ban on parents who commit severe harm or murder against their children.
Abi shared her emotional turmoil of receiving cards and gifts from Gibbs, reflecting on the confusion and pain it caused her growing up without a father figure. Gibbs, initially sentenced to three years for the harm inflicted on Charlie, saw his sentence reduced to two years after an appeal and was released in less than a year.
Jo’s efforts include urging Gibbs to relinquish his parental rights, which he agreed to only if granted access to Abi. She is now campaigning for an automatic removal of parental rights in such cases and has sought support from key figures like Baroness Alison Levitt KC and Victims’ Rights Commissioner Claire Waxman.
The tragic incident unfolded when Abi and Charlie were born, bringing immense joy to the family. However, the happiness soon turned to despair when Charlie suffered life-threatening injuries, leading to his untimely death. Jo recounted the heartbreaking moments at the hospital as she witnessed Charlie’s futile battle for life.
Gibbs’ account of the events shifted, eventually acknowledging his actions that led to Charlie’s injuries. Despite being acquitted of some charges, the severity of the harm he caused was condemned by the judge, emphasizing the need for immediate punishment.
In the wake of Charlie’s death and the disturbing revelations of his injuries, Jo’s plea for justice and protection for vulnerable children has gained support from Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE. Waxman highlighted the need for further government actions to safeguard victims and children from abusive parents who retain parental rights despite committing grave offenses.
To support Jo’s cause, individuals are encouraged to sign her petition via the provided link.