Council Blamed After Foster Boy Runs Over Grandmother

A grandmother who was tragically run over and killed by a 12-year-old boy she was fostering was failed by Rotherham Council, a coroner has concluded.

Marcia Grant, 60, sustained fatal injuries outside her Sheffield home on April 5, 2023, as she tried to prevent the boy from taking her car. The child, referred to as Child X, had been placed in her care just days earlier. In November 2023, he was sentenced to two years in custody after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, following the withdrawal of a murder charge.

On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle delivered a narrative conclusion at the inquest into Mrs Grant's death. The hearing revealed that Mrs Grant and her husband, Delroy, were highly respected foster carers and were already looking after another child, Child Y, at the time. Despite being approved for only one child due to Child Y's complex needs, they agreed to take on Child X after an urgent request from the council.

The inquest was told that key information about Child X's background — including a youth caution for carrying a knife and statements he made about wanting to join a gang — was omitted from the initial placement referral. Coroner Whittle described the referral form as "deficient," noting that Mrs Grant accepted the emergency placement "without her full knowledge of Child X's risks."

She found that these omissions were the result of systemic failings by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, including the use of outdated or incomplete forms and inadequate information-sharing processes.

The Grants' social worker, who was consulted on the placement, was also not informed about Child X's troubling disclosures — including claims he had stabbed people and engaged in gang activity. The coroner stated the social worker "would have categorically said that was not a match" if fully informed.

Ms Whittle concluded that, had proper procedures been followed, Child X would never have been placed with the Grants. She said the circumstances leading to Mrs Grant's death were "contributed to by the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council."

The inquest heard that on April 4 — the day before Mrs Grant's death — an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) visited and raised serious concerns. During the visit, Child X allegedly told Mrs Grant that he had stabbed someone, spat at a neighbour, and had sex with 10 girls. Mrs Grant had also taken steps to lock away kitchen knives. Following the visit, the IRO decided not to recommend extending the placement.

Although the boy was briefly removed from the home on April 5, Mrs Grant was asked to keep him on due to the lack of an alternative placement. Soon after returning, Child X attempted to steal the Grants' car. Mrs Grant was killed as she tried to stop him by standing behind the vehicle.

PM Law