A County Durham safeguarding campaigner has questioned why a mum who allowed the death of her daughter has been released from prison, just six years into a 12-year sentence.
Frankie Smith, 20, was jailed for causing or allowing the death of 16-month-old Star Hobson in Keighley in September 2020.
Smith’s then-partner, Savannah Brockhill, 28, was convicted of murdering Star after inflicting fatal injuries during a violent attack at their home.
Smith was initially sentenced to eight years at Bradford Crown Court, but the Court of Appeal later quashed that term and imposed a 12-year sentence.
Star Hobson (Image: SUBMIT)
Because she was under 18 when Star died, Dame Victoria Sharp ruled that she should serve half her sentence, rather than the two-thirds originally set, in a young offender institution.
But Gemma Chappell, great aunt of murdered County Durham toddler Maya Chappell, has now questioned how this has been allowed to happen.
"Our family understands the devastating consequences when a child loses their life at the hands of an adult who should have protected them.
"For that reason, the circumstances surrounding Frankie Smith’s release raise questions we believe deserve proper examination.
Frankie Smith, Star Hobson's mum (Image: SUBMIT)
"We recognise that release on licence is part of the legal sentencing framework and that the full sentence has not expired.
"However, we believe the public deserves to understand how the release provisions operate in cases of this seriousness, particularly where the Court of Appeal has already determined that a longer sentence was necessary."
Gemma Chappell, Maya's great aunt (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Gemma understands more than most about the death of a child in the family after losing Maya in September 2022, after the defenceless toddler died days after she was shaken by her mum's new partner, Michael Daymond.
Daymond was jailed for life, while Maya's mum, Dana Carr, was given a nine-year sentence for allowing Maya's death.
Gemma added: "In Star's case, what safeguards and supervision arrangements are in place to manage any identified risks?
Maya Chappell (Image: SUBMIT)
"Should the law require offenders convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child to serve a greater proportion of their sentence in custody?
We do not seek to prejudge Smith’s current behaviour or rehabilitation.
"We recognise that rehabilitation is an important part of the criminal justice system.
"However, there must also be transparency about how release decisions are made and how the interests of victims’ families and public protection are considered."
Gemma, a police officer from Consett, and her sister, Rachael Walls, are currently seeking changes to safeguarding law in the UK through Maya's Law.
Maya's Law is calling for a Child Risk Disclosure Scheme that operates similarly to Clare’s and Sarah’s Laws but is focused on the broader risk history of caregivers.
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Gemma added: "Maya’s Law has always been about preventing harm to children before it happens. However, when prevention fails, and a child loses their life, the justice system must also be capable of demonstrating meaningful accountability."
In Star Hosbon's case, a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "This was a horrific crime, and our thoughts remain with all those affected.
"Offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and can be returned to prison immediately if they breach them."
The Ministry of Justice said Smith’s release was not part of the Government’s early-release scheme.