Four days of hell for abused child

Details of abuse over four days by a mother who tried to smother her 18-month-old daughter. The woman, later convicted, was assessed as having a personality disorder.

Day 1

12.14 Surveillance starts.

18.08 Mother leaves.

Day 2

12.20 Mother tells child that if she doesn't stop making a noise she will smack her hard.

15.18 Mother smacks the child with a toy hammer.

15.27 Mother smacks child.

16.08 Mother pinches child, who begins to cry.

19.51 Mother tells child to sleep. Then hits her on the back, bottom and leg.

Day 3

12.03 Mother smacks child for no apparent reason.

13.14 Mother smacks child for kicking her legs.

16.02 Mother cuddles child, then smacks her hard.

17.27 Mother smacks child for no apparent reason and scratches her leg.

Day 4

11.59 Mother slaps child.

13.30 Mother hits child on forehead.

15.52 Mother throws toy bricks at child's head.

15.54 Mother puts hand over child's mouth, then slaps her hard on the face.

16.14 Mother trips child up and kicks her three times.

16.41 Mother changes nappy, then takes pillow and forces it over child's head. After eight seconds mother removes pillow, then replaces it for three seconds. A nurse enters, alerted by the observers.