The family of murdered toddler Maya Chappell has expressed fury and devastation after being informed that her mother, Dana Carr, could be released from prison early under new sentencing reforms.
Background of the Case
Two-year-old Maya was shaken to death by Michael Daymond at her home in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, in September 2022. Daymond, who had recently begun a relationship with Carr, was jailed for life for murder. Carr received a nine-year sentence after being convicted of child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of a child.
Now, less than three years after sentencing, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has contacted Maya's family, informing them that sentencing reforms introduced to alleviate prison overcrowding could allow Carr to be released after serving a smaller proportion of her sentence.
Family's Reaction
Maya's great aunt, Gemma Chappell, voiced the family's anguish, stating: "We know the prison service is in trouble, we know they have to do something about it. But what would they want if it was their children? It's going to put victims back, and victims are not going to come forward if they see the likes of these sentences. I feel like they have got absolutely no empathy for victims or their families."
Gemma revealed that the prospect of Carr's early release has brought fresh trauma, particularly for Maya's father, James Chappell. "It just brings back all the trauma. It's knocked James back a lot. He's not dealing with it very well," she said.
Details of the Crime
During the trial at Teesside Crown Court, jurors heard that Daymond and Carr had a short but intense relationship and moved in together in Shotton Colliery in August 2022. Family members, including James Chappell, had noticed bruises on Maya and asked Carr about them. She claimed Maya had fallen and was hurting herself by nipping and walking into things.
On September 28, 2022, Carr left Maya with Daymond while she went to work. Later that day, Daymond called 999, reporting that Maya had collapsed. The toddler suffered severe brain trauma and internal haemorrhaging, dying in hospital two days later. The court also heard that Daymond had drug debts and had learned his Universal Credit payment had been stopped on the day he shook Maya.
Campaign for Maya's Law
Since Maya's death, Gemma Chappell has campaigned for tougher safeguarding laws, calling for the introduction of Maya's Law. This would require authorities to share information with a parent or guardian if another caregiver's known history poses a risk to their child. Gemma fears that early release for abusers like Carr could put more children at risk: "For all the children being abused on a daily basis the sentences are not giving people a deterrent."
Ministry of Justice Response
A Ministry of Justice spokesman defended the reforms, stating: "This government is fixing the prison crisis it inherited, building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals. Without this decisive action, prisons will run out of space entirely as early as November and we will be unable to lock up serious offenders at all."
The spokesman added: "Public safety and supporting victims is our top priority. Offenders who a judge has deemed the most dangerous are automatically blocked from early release, and prisoners who behave badly while behind bars face being locked up for longer. Anyone who is released faces tough rules such as restrictions on their movements, tagging, being banned from attending public events, pubs and clubs, backed by our record £700m investment into probation and 1,300 extra probation officers."
