Report into death of baby in Kent identifies failings
Christopher Sellman
Christopher Sellman is due to be sentenced in April

The death of a newborn baby killed by her violent father in Kent could have been prevented, a serious case review has found.

Several opportunities were missed that may have prevented Christopher Sellman, 25, killing 25-day-old Tiffany.

Sellman, of The Hurst, Tonbridge, had a conviction for assault and had been cautioned for child neglect.

The review found information should have been shared about the risk he posed to children in his care.

Baby Tiffany suffered a fractured skull and died in hospital in November 2008 after being left in her father's care while her mother was visiting a relative.

'Highly predictable'

Sellman, a refuse collector, was found guilty of manslaughter at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.

A serious case review by Kent Safeguarding Children Board found opportunities to protect Tiffany were missed by children's social services (CSS) and health agencies.

The review said it was "highly predictable" that Tiffany would suffer physical abuse or neglect at the hands of her father.

It said relatives had twice sought to alert agencies that Sellman's partner, Pamela Burdge, was pregnant with Tiffany.

On the first occasion they spoke to a health visitor but the information was not passed to Kent children's social services (CSS).

The second time relatives raised concern a social worker failed to register it.

One relative said he felt angry and let down

The report said the identification of Sellman as the father may have led to care proceedings and action to protect Tiffany as soon as she was born.

The review found: "A number of opportunities to do this were missed within CSS and health agencies, and it is a sad conclusion of this review that her death was preventable."

Earlier this week, Kent County Council said an "isolated example of human error" had led to a social worker failing to pass on information about Sellman.

During the trial, Sellman denied both the murder and the manslaughter of his daughter, claiming that he had accidentally dropped her.

He is due to be sentenced for the killing in April.