THE birth mother of a Whitehaven baby who was murdered by the woman who wanted to adopt him has called for improved screening to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Coroner Dr Nicholas Shaw relayed the hope of Laura Corkill after hearing that adoption procedures in the area have now been “tightened up” following the tragic killing of one-year-old Leiland-James Corkill.

He suffered a catastrophic head injury five months after Social Services placed him with Barrow woman Laura Castle and her partner, who were part way through adopting him.

A month or so after he was placed with them, Laura Castle told social workers she did not love Leiland James. It was only after the baby died that police discovered text messages from Laura Castle in which she admitted “leathering” him.

She spoke also of not wanting him anymore.

Castle and her partner also failed to disclose to social workers relevant health and financial matters – including details of their debts.

Leiland-James died on January 7, 2021, the day after suffering a catastrophic head injury which experts said was non-accidental. He was aged one year and 17 days. Laura Castle was later convicted of his murder and of child cruelty.

The inquest heard that the death of Leiland-James led to a report being compiled by independent safeguarding consultant Nicki Pettitt, who produced recommendations which aim to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

They include ensuring the names of prospective adopters to be flagged up by the Social Services with GPs so that all relevant health information – including about the person’s mental health or lifestyle changes - can be shared.

During the hearing, evidence emerged of concerning text messages sent by Laura Castle to her partner in the month after Leiland James was placed with them by Social Services.

Leiland-James was still a "looked after" child as the adoption was not formally approved.

In particular, Castle’s private text messages in late September showed she was struggling. She confessed to “not liking” Leiland-James and said: “I totally regret doing this.”

In yet another message, sent on September 24, she said: “I don’t even have any nice moments to make me think yes; it was worth it. I need to stop smacking him because, if I don’t, I will not stop.”

Replying to this, her partner advised her to walk away.

In yet another message, sent around the same time, she wrote: “I lost the plot absolutely. I’m at my wit’s end with this BS.” She said she was near the point of calling her social worker to say she no longer wanted Leiland-James.

She admitted she “absolutely leathered him”. 

The inquest heard about the adoption process in the runup to Leiland-James being placed with the Castles, with the couple visiting him at the home of his then foster parents between August 15 and 20, 2020.

The visits went well, and on August 20, Cumbria Adoption Panel recommended that Leiland-James was a suitable adoption match with the Castles.

The foster parents who had been caring for him since two days after his birth had their final contact with Leiland-James on August 22 that year. The foster mother said she observed nothing to cause her concern.

Commenting on the evidence of Castle’s text messages, Coroner Dr Shaw said: “The social work team had no inkling of what was going on behind closed doors, which was only revealed by the police investigation."

On November 12, 2020, Laura Castle told a social worker she did not love Leiland-James but the social workers involved said they were reassured she was being open.

Social worker Beth Taylor visited the Castle home two days later, on November 14. Describing that visit, she said Laura Castle’s mood appeared “flat” but the home seemed normal and there was nothing to cause her concern.

Addressing the attachment issue, she told Laura Castle this was not unusual at so early a stage in the adoptive relationship. Ms Taylor said: “I encouraged her to keep being open and honest.”

She saw the exchange as positive, showing Castle’s willingness to disclose her problems with the adoption.

The baby's birth mother Laura Corkill had planned to attend the hearing but felt unable to, Dr Shaw told the hearing.

In her emotional statement, she said her son was not given the chance to grow into the “wonderful young man” she was certain he would have become.

“I have fought and will continue to fight for my son,” she said. “He deserved to live in safety and security in the world and I wanted him home with me. I never expected it would be in a coffin...

“He was placed into the home of a monster – a monster who was meant to love and nurture and cherish him as I would have done.”

Leiland-James was taken away from her two days after his birth because she had been in a relationship which featured domestic violence.

But she ended that relationship and made “positive changes” in order to keep her son. Ms Corkill had hoped her son would be returned to her – to her home that she insisted was "filled with love".

It had everything her son needed, she said, including a decorated nursery, with clothes folded neatly in the drawers, and the pram in the hallway.

She continued: “I exist to get justice for my son Leiland-James… He was ripped from my loving arms… He was a happy boy, with a bright beaming smile – a smile that would brighten days. Even on my worst days he was my sunshine.”

After hearing that Nicki Pettit’s recommendations are being implemented, Dr Shaw said: “In summary, systems have been tightened up and awareness has been significantly raised following this event.”

Dr Shaw said Laura Corkill, at an earlier hearing, had voiced one request - that the screening of prospective adopters should be improved in the hope that such a tragedy would never happen again.

The hearing continues.

* In May 2022, Laura Castle, from Barrow, was convicted of both child cruelty and murder and jailed for 18 years.

* A safeguarding children board review held after Leiland-James died ruled concluded there were "systemic failings" in the adoption process and that information was not always shared between agencies. It was confirmed that during the adoption process Castle "deliberately and repeatedly misled and lied to social workers" about important aspects of her life, including her mental health and her drinking.