Ben's social worker reported his home life was 'grim' - the house was a mess and there was no running water. In early November Ben’s mother left his father again and went to stay with a friend, saying she “was not feeling safe”. When the social worker returned to the mother’s address to hand over her property she found a shocking scene. “It was obvious to everyone in the household were used to witnessing [Ben’s mother] in this manner. The social worker explained it would be “ideal” if Ben’s parents would consent to him going to stay with Alice.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 14, 2023 23:28 UTC