Autistic mum, 22, took own life hours after learning six-month-old baby might be put up for adoption
A TRAGIC autistic mum took her own life just hours after learning her baby might be put up for adoption, an inquest heard.
Fern Foster, 22, was discovered dead after her partner received an email from his lawyer outlining the heartbreaking news.
Her six-month-old baby had been placed into foster care almost a month after she was born, an inquest was told.
Fern had been diagnosed with autism when she was 15 but struggled to get the right support and had a history of self-harming, which she used as a coping mechanism when feeling overwhelmed.
But when she discovered she was pregnant in July 2019, the expectant mum stopped engaging in behaviours that would put her or her baby at risk.
Buckinghamshire Children’s Services became involved in her pregnancy, with Fern describing the process that ultimately led to her child being taken out of her care as a “runaway train”.
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler concluded there was a “lack of independent advocacy to help Fern”, which contributed to Fern’s decision to take her own life.
The inquest was told the aspiring English teacher had been in and out of temporary accommodation.
But throughout the time she was pregnant and in the final months of her life, Fern was supported by her mother, Dominique, and the father of her child, Max Newman.
Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court heard she found a “new purpose” in life after discovering she was having a baby.
After giving birth, Fern indicated intentions of taking her own life if the baby were adopted.
On July 8, 2020, she was found dead at home after Max received the email from his solicitor about the tot possibly being adopted.
Mr Butler gave a narrative conclusion, recording the cause of death as suicide.
He said how the possible adoption news was communicated to Fern was a “trigger” in her decision to end her own life.
The coroner also found she needed help at a much earlier stage from an independent advocate who could help her understand and engage with professionals.
This was the single largest reasonable adjustment that could have been made to support Fern’s needs, Mr Butler added.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Speaking after the inquest, her sister Rowan said the family was pleased with the coroner’s findings.
She added: “Mothers who face their children being removed should be supported, especially autistic mothers, as autistic women have a 13 times higher risk of death by suicide.
“It is tragic that there was never a clear plan to support Fern to be a mother, nor to protect her safety when she was told that would not be possible.
“These essential requirements were repeatedly ignored, inevitably pushing Fern to breaking point. This was no way to treat a vulnerable, disabled, first time mum.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.