My baby was taken away from me for TWO MONTHS after my GP misdiagnosed bruises on her feet... I was accused of child abuse and banned from seeing my kids - it was a nightmare

A mum has told how she endured a two-month nightmare of being banned from seeing her kids alone - after she alerted her GP about marks on her newborn daughter's foot and was suspected of child abuse.

Ashleigh Ratcliffe feared her three-month-old daughter Dottie and two other young children would be permanently taken away from her after social workers became involved.

The 31-year-old was even threatened with arrest if she tried to leave hospital as she and her partner fell under suspicion of abusing their daughter.

Her pleas that small blotches on the sole of the baby's foot were caused naturally were ignored by doctors.

The ordeal only ended when she paid for a private examination that determined the small marks were cause by Raynaud's Phenomenon – a hereditary condition that affects blood flow and previously diagnosed in her eldest son.

Former nursery assistant Ashleigh told MailOnline: 'I have never been so terrified in all my life. For weeks and weeks I was afraid that my children would be taken from me.

'It seemed that no matter what I said I wasn't being listened to. The police even became involved as obviously doctors suspected that there was abuse. Nothing could be further from the truth.'

Ashleigh and partner Jamie Burke, 28, had been thrilled in December 2023 to welcome Dottie to their family. They already had two boys, Arlo, four and Albee, seven

Although Dottie was born two weeks early, she was very healthy and settled well with her brothers at the family home in Oldbury in the West Midlands.

When Dottie was almost three months Ashleigh noticed red blotches on the soul of her newborn's left foot.

She arranged an appointment at her local GP and told him she thought the marks might be due to a vitamin deficiency.

The GP recommended blood tests at Birmingham's City Hospital but without telling Ashleigh had told the hospital in his report that the mark were a 'non accidental injury'.

After undergoing blood tests Ashleigh was told she and Dottie would have to remain on an observation unit overnight.

The following day she transferred to Sandwell Hospital where she was told her daughter was being placed under Section 47 – where a child is suspected of being abused and authorities have powers to carry out an investigation.

Ashleigh said: 'I just could not believe what I was hearing. My son Arlo had been diagnosed with Raynaud's Phenomenon where his hands and feet go blue due to blood flow changes. I wasn't sure but the mark on Dottie's foot could have been caused by the same condition.

'They did not seem to want to listen and as far as they were concerned, I had caused the marks on my daughter's foot.'

Ashleigh was told she could not be left alone with her daughter or her two other children.

Her mum, who had been present when the mark on the foot were first discovered, was also banned from being alone with her grandsons.

Ashleigh's sister Jody was able to look after the two bewildered boys or they would have been taken into care by social workers.

While in hospital Dottie endured a series of excruciating tests, including having dye dripped into her eyes so doctors could examine for signs of trauma. She also had a CT scan and full skeletal exam.

Ashleigh and partner Jamie, a taxi driver, suspected the reddish mark on their daughter's foot could have been a birth mark – but this was also dismissed.

'The hospital kept on saying they are not blaming me, but there were strategy meetings where the police attended. They would not have been there is they did not suspect abuse.

'I just felt sick inside that anyone would think I could do this to my baby.'

On one report doctors had written that the marks could have been caused by 'pressure' or 'blunt trauma'.

Ashleigh attempted to see a dermatologist at another hospital but was told if she left with her baby she would be arrested.

After 11 days she was allowed to leave – but the family were placed under a Section 17 order which meant Dottie was to be monitored.

'For over a month I was not allowed to be alone with my daughter. Other family members had to give up work so that they could be in the same place. It had a huge impact on our life,' said Ashleigh.

'Fortunately, the boys were allowed to return home, and they were so happy to see their little sister.'

Ashleigh paid for a private consultation with a specialist who determined Dottie suffered from Raynaud's Phenomenon – the same condition as her older brother.

He also diagnosed a milk and lactose allergy, but these did not cause the red blotches

The dermatologist determined Raynaud's could have caused the marks to appear – and his report was accepted by social services.

The family were told this week they were no longer being monitored under Section 17 of the Children's Act.

Ashleigh said: 'What makes me so angry is that we had told the doctors our son had Raynaud's, and they didn't believe us. 

'Of all the tests they did in the hospital they were unable to discover that Dottie was lactose intolerant and that could have caused the marks to appear.

'We found an article online about another family who were threatened with having their baby taken into care because of mark on the sole of the foot. That turned out to be a birth mark, but when we told doctors this they were not interested.

'It has been a traumatic few months. I know child abuse does take place, but I voluntarily went to the GP because I was worried about the mark. All they said was that counts in my favour, but they still thought I had harmed my baby.

'I do feel that we have been treated very badly and put through an ordeal that was no necessary. Having a child taken away is every parent's nightmare.

'When I went to the GP I never thought that I would end up not being allowed to be alone with my children and even face prospect of losing them'

A Sandwell Children's Trust spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the situation and have been in regular contact with the family throughout. 

'We understand that in situations like this families are often anxious, however our paramount concern must always be the safety and welfare of children.

'The Trust, in line with our statutory duties, have followed national and local safeguarding procedures and followed medical advice. '