Pictured: Mother, 48, facing charge for killing her daughter with Down’s syndrome by neglect

Pictured: Mother, 48, facing charge for killing her daughter with Down’s syndrome by neglect after 24-year-old was found starved to death with horrendous scabies infection

  • Deborah Leitch had Down’s Syndrome and was found dead at house in Blackpool
  • Post mortem examination gave cause of death as severe emaciation and neglect
  • Six people were arrested in connection to 24-year-old’s death in August, 2019
  • Her mother Elaine Clarke is due to face charge of gross negligent manslaughter 
  • Robert Bruce, 45 and from Leeds, will also face a charge of allowing or causing the death of a vulnerable adult and will appear at court next month with Clarke

A mother is accused of killing her own daughter with Down’s syndrome after the 24-year-old was found starved to death with horrific skin infections.

Elaine Clarke, 48, is due to appear at court next month to face one charge of gross negligent manslaughter.

Police were called to a house by the ambulance service in August 2019 after Elaine’s daughter Debbie Leitch was found dead. 

Deborah Leitch, 24, was found emaciated with a severe skin infection at a home in Blackpool

Elaine Clarke (left) is accused of killing her 24-year-old daughter Debbie Leitch (right) who had Down’s syndrome and was found emaciated with a severe skin infection at a home in Blackpool

A Home Office post mortem examination gave the cause of death as severe emaciation and neglect with extensive scabies skin infection.

Lancashire Police arrested six people in connection with Debbie’s death and said today two people had summonsed to appear at court.

Clarke, 48, from Blackpool is due to face a charge of gross negligent manslaughter. 

As well as Clarke, 45-year-old Robert Bruce, from Leeds and believed to be Clarke’s ex-partner, has been summonsed for the offence of allowing or causing the death of a vulnerable adult.

Both are due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on April 20.

Police officers were called to the home in South Shore, Blackpool, where Deborah was found. Lancashire police have since charged two people in connection with the 24-year-old's death

Police officers were called to the home in South Shore, Blackpool, where Deborah was found. Lancashire police have since charged two people in connection with the 24-year-old’s death

The other four people were released without charge.

A statement issued on behalf of her family described Debbie as a ‘wonderful girl’ who was ‘always happy, and always friendly’.