A 12-year-old boy tragically ran over and killed his foster carer just six days after moving into her home, an inquest in Sheffield, England, has heard.
Marcia Grant, 60, died from serious injuries after the child reversed her car over her outside her home on 5 April 2023. She had worked as a foster carer for seven years and was described by her family as “a soul like no other,” with “an unshakeable ethical compass.”
The boy—referred to only as Child X—was placed with Marcia and her husband, Delroy, in an emergency arrangement after a call went out for urgent foster care on 30 March 2023. Although the couple were only approved to care for one child at a time, they agreed to take Child X for a temporary six-day placement. They were already fostering another young person, known as Child Y.
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The inquest heard that Mrs Grant died on the final day of that six-day emergency period.
In November 2023, Child X admitted causing death by dangerous driving. A charge of murder was dropped. He was sentenced to two years in custody.
Warnings Ignored
Social worker David Wade, who supported the Grants in their foster care work, told the inquest he had not supported placing Child X with the couple. He was concerned about the impact on Child Y, who had been making progress in their care. However, a senior manager made the final decision.
Wade also said he was unaware of Child X’s self-reported past involvement with gangs and knives. If he had known, he told the coroner, he would have strongly objected to the placement.
Matthew Boud, who led the children in care service at Rotherham Council at the time, approved the emergency placement. He said the council was under pressure to find a safe place for Child X and that placing him with the Grants seemed the best option at short notice. Without them, the child might have ended up in a hotel or been moved far from the area.
“We were desperately trying to provide some stability for Child X,” Boud said, calling the decision “appropriate” under the circumstances.
A Life Remembered
Marcia Grant’s family described her as a “proud and loving mother” whose “infectious laugh” touched everyone who knew her. She and her husband were experienced, well-regarded carers in their community.
Her death has raised serious questions about emergency foster care decisions, especially when full information about a child’s background is not shared with those taking them in.
