'Smoking Baby' Sparks Up Facebook Outrage

3:58pm UK

Tuesday January 19, 2010

 

David Williams

Sky News

 

A teenage mother has received a visit from the police after a photo of her baby son with a cigarette hanging from his mouth was posted online.

 

Police said they had "no immediate concerns" over the welfare of baby Ollie

Rebecca Davey, 18, was apparently reported by concerned friends who had seen the picture on Facebook.

It showed six-month-old Ollie posing with the unlit cigarette.

Essex police learned of the image on Saturday and traced the teenager's home address to Southend in Essex.

A spokesman said they had "no immediate concerns" for the boy's welfare after the visit, but confirmed the matter had been referred to social services.

The offending photo has since been removed from the site, but it was printed in The Sun.

Southend Borough Council said its officers would be visiting the child's family again within the day.

Sue Cook, head of specialist children's services, said: "The purpose of the visit is to ensure that any child within the household is being appropriately cared for."

Friends of Ms Davey were quick to offer their support after the photo appeared in the media.

One online friend, Harry Afc Digenous, posted: "F*** The Sun. Take them to court."

Another friend, Jade Clark, told the mother she had spotted the image in the paper, just above a posting from Davey herself, announcing Ollie has two teeth "bless him".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINK TO STORY:

 

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Mother-Visited-By-Police-After-A-Photo-Of-Her-Baby-Son-With-Cigarette-In-His-Mouth-Was-Posted-Online/Article/201001315530889?f=rss