A BABY who died after her mother fell asleep on the sofa was taken off a child protection plan two weeks earlier, it has been revealed.

A Serious Case Review has revealed how the four-week-old Caitlyn Garrigan was placed under protection before she was born.

It states how her parents James Garrigan and Sarah Jayne Ayre had a history of alcohol abuse and there had also been domestic violence problems within the family home, in Hartlepool.

A number of recommendations, relating to training and agencies working together, have now been put in place following an investigation, however, the report found no professionals were to blame for Caitlyn’s death.

Two weeks after she was born a panel of experts concluded that "significant progress" had been made with the parents, which meant it "significantly reduced" the risk of harm to the Caitlyn.

The baby was rushed to hospital two weeks later when her mother found her unconscious after Ms Ayre fell asleep on the sofa.

Caitlyn’s parents admitted to hospital staff to having had a drink, but denied being drunk. They were arrested after their baby was pronounced dead at hospital.

An inquest into her death concluded she died of natural causes.

The family first became known to the local authorities in 2004 when Mr Garrigan received a custodial sentence following a conviction for violence where drink was a factor.

In the same year there were two referrals to Hartlepool Social Services in relation to Ms Ayre’s drinking habits.

Two reports were also made to police of domestic violence, with drinking being a factor in both.

Social services were involved with the family leading up to Caitlyn’s birth on December 18, 2008, and a child protection plan was in place.

However when this was discontinued, the authorities agreed to continue monitoring and supporting the family with a Child in Need plan, but this was never put in place.

Nicola Bailey, chair of the Hartlepool Local Safeguarding Children Board, said: "The publishing of the Serious Case Review (SCR) will bring back some terrible memories for the family and our thoughts are with them at this moment in time.

"The SCR found that no direct link can be made between the death and the actions or inaction of any professional.

"Clearly, the purpose of any SCR is to establish whether there are any lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which organisations have worked together to safeguard the child and the board has accepted all of the recommendations.

"Work is well under way to implement the recommendations which will further strengthen our ability to safeguard the welfare of children in Hartlepool."