A childminder who took on so many children that some had to be strapped into prams upstairs or left in the garden has been jailed for two years. Amanda Mathewson, 55, was only legally allowed to look after eight children but at one point 27 were found at her home in Dunfermline, Fife. All were under 16 and some were younger than 12 months.
How the neglect was uncovered
Mathewson got away with it for nearly a year by asking parents to text her before coming to pick their children up so she could hide others away in different rooms. She was eventually rumbled when parents noticed their kids – who she was supposed to be looking after – were not with her on the school run on August 26, 2024.
When they went back to her home they found the front door wasn't locked and five school-aged children waiting outside in the garden. Sheriff John MacRitchie said: 'Upstairs was a group of very young children – including the parents' sons. Two children were strapped in pushchairs. The children were described as obviously distressed.'
Other parents had noticed their children were coming home thirsty, or with immaculate clothing despite Mathewson claiming they had eaten 'messy meals'.
Court proceedings and sentencing
Mathewson had worked as a self-employed childminder for about 30 years before she was arrested in August 2024. At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in October, she admitted wilfully neglecting, abandoning and exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to their health.
At the same court on Friday, Sheriff MacRitchie sentenced her to two years in prison. Handing down his sentence, the judge told Mathewson: 'Your qualifications and experience mean you understand the developmental vulnerability of babies and young children, the need for constant supervision, (and) the obvious risks created by leaving them without an adult. The potential for catastrophic harm was enormous.'
He told her only a prison sentence was appropriate. 'A non-custodial sentence would fail to reflect the seriousness of the offence, and fail properly to punish, and fail to express society's grave disapproval of your conduct,' the judge said.
Parents' reactions and aftermath
Mathewson, who was present in court and wearing a black dress, showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down. Dozens of parents attended the sentencing, and they quietly celebrated in the public gallery when Mathewson was jailed. More than 20 watched proceedings on an online feed.
Speaking afterwards, one parent said: 'One of the hardest parts for me has been rebuilding the trust with my children, because they believed we knew what was happening and chose to send them anyway.' She said one of her children had been left to change babies' nappies and had to 'sneak biscuits because they didn't get to eat anything'. She added: 'We are all working professionals. We needed flexible, affordable childcare, and that allowed (Mathewson) to pull the wool over our eyes because we needed her.'
Mathewson had been given a glowing report by the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection on August 7, 2023 – just weeks before her offending began. The report rated her 'very good' on all measures, and said children were being cared for in a 'comfortable, welcoming and homely environment' and with 'warmth, kindness and a nurturing approach'.
Following sentencing, a spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: 'This was a shocking case and our thoughts are with those affected. Amanda Mathewson broke the trust of families and children, and the crime for which she is responsible has been dealt with by the courts. The Care Inspectorate has listened carefully to parents who raised concerns with us and we have reviewed how we work following learning from this case. This has included updating our inspection, complaints and conflict of interest procedures. We have provided new ways to submit feedback on childminders both during and out-with inspections. We have also provided clearer resources to help families understand what to expect from their childminder. It is important to note that this case does not reflect the wider childminding sector. The overwhelming majority of childminders in Scotland provide safe, nurturing care for children, with more than 90% receiving grades of good or better at inspection.'
