A couple surreptitiously embedded tracking devices in their children’s toys to monitor their whereabouts while in foster care, a ruling by a Family Court judge has revealed. The parents, leading a nomadic lifestyle, had three young children together and were expecting their fourth when the tracking devices were uncovered. The children, under school age, are currently under foster care as part of care proceedings.
The discovery of a minuscule tracking device, similar to the one used in the mother’s mobile phone, sewn into a bag given to one of the children by the parents was made by the foster carers in May. Further investigations revealed two more devices concealed within toys previously gifted to the children.
Upon confrontation, the parents denied knowledge of the devices and even accused the local authority of setting them up. However, the mother later admitted to the idea of purchasing the trackers but claimed sole responsibility, although the judge doubted the father’s ignorance.
The mother justified her actions by expressing concerns about her children attending meetings with bruises, yet she could not explain how tracking them would help in such situations. The judge discredited the parents’ statements, asserting that the decision to use tracking devices was a joint parental choice, with the father likely being the driving force behind the ill-conceived plan.
The judge emphasized that the parents attempted to conceal the truth by withholding their phones for investigation related to the tracking devices. He urged the parents to reflect on the consequences of their actions and take steps to address the harm caused to their case regarding the care of their children.
Overall, the judge condemned the parents’ actions, stating that the tracking devices were part of a broader scheme to monitor the children’s location and could potentially indicate intentions of abduction.