Forced adoption

A pregnant woman has been told that her baby will be taken from her at birth because she could be capable of emotional abuse

Psychiatrists treating 22- year-old Fran Lyon say there is no evidence to suggest that she will harm her child in any way.

But the recommendation from social services that the baby should be taken away from Fran, was partially based on a letter from a paediatrician that she had never met.

Fran is a charity worker from Hexham and has five A-levels and a degree in neuroscience.

Hexham children's services, part of Northumberland County Council, said the decision had been made because Miss Lyon was likely to suffer from Munchausen's Syndrome by proxy, a condition unproven by science in which a Mum will try to draw attention to herself by harming her child or making up an imaginary illness.

Fran Lyon's fight

Fran is five months pregnant and is seeking a judicial review of the decision about Molly, as she calls her baby.

Northumberland County Council say two highly experienced doctors - another consultant paediatrician and a medical consultant - attended the case conference.

The case adds to growing concern over a huge rise in the number of babies under a year old being taken from parents.

The figure was 2,000 last year, three times the number 10 years ago.

Miss Lyon said she was determined to fight the decision.

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