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Kerry Robertson and Mark McDougall are running from social services

Kerry Robertson who is now 29-weeks pregnant, 17, and Mark McDougall her fiancee, 25, have gone, “on-the-run” after social workers were intent on taking away their baby son at birth.

Kerry had been told that she was not bright enough to raise her own child and that she would have to give him up. The same couple were hounded by social services at their wedding this year, stopped just 48 hours before the ceremony in a row over whether Miss Robertson was intelligent enough to marry.

Miss Robertson said last night: ‘I have been out of my mind with worry about my unborn baby being taken away.

‘Although Ben isn’t born yet, I already love my baby and know I will be a good mum. Mark and I talk to him inside me every day and tell him we love him.

‘We’ve already bought him clothes and my cousin, who recently had a baby, has handed down a beautiful crib for him.

‘But social workers aren’t even giving me a chance to be a mum. It’s as if social workers are trying to rule my life and I just couldn’t take the pressure from them any more.

Mr McDougall, the fiancee and an artists said:

‘She is pregnant with her first baby so we don’t see how, before he is even here, social workers can say she won’t be a good parent. The pressure that social workers have been putting both of us under is huge.

‘When Kerry found out she was pregnant, a care worker mentioned she might not be able to keep the baby but we never believed they would do something as cruel as to take him away.

‘We are constantly lying awake at night worrying what the next day will bring.

‘Not only am I extremely angry and upset about the way we’ve been treated, I have become worried for Kerry’s and our unborn baby’s health. I defy anyone to put up with what we’ve had to put up with.’

The couple had a leaving party for friends and family, say they do not know how long it will be before they can return. They were thought to have a safe-house planned out at an undisclosed location.

Had Miss Robertson gave birth in Fife and then fled with the baby, after the local authority had got a care order, she would be liable for child abduction. However by fleeing while pregnant, Miss Robertson has not broken any law.

Having her baby outside the jurisdiction of Fife council means they would have to locate her and alert the relevant council who would have to again apply for a removal order themselves. They no longer have any power to take the child into care, simply by moving to another council jurisdiction.

The European Human Rights Commission is investigating whether Fife council has broken human rights laws.

         

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