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Inquest Probes Death of 12-Year-Old After Transfer to Sheffield Children’s Psychiatric Unit

Jurors are examining whether care at the Becton Centre met required safety standards.

Overview

  • Evidence outlined that Mia Lucas was detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act on January 4, 2024, after an acute psychotic episode.
  • Clinicians testified she was transferred to the Becton Centre on January 9 because few units accept patients under 13.
  • The court heard she made multiple self-harm attempts on the ward before staff found her unresponsive on January 29; she died the next day.
  • Medical investigations included an MRI and tests reported negative for common physical causes, while a lumbar puncture was not completed.
  • The 10-day inquest opened with instructions to consider her mental health history, placement decisions, risk assessments, and care, with autoimmune encephalitis flagged as a topic of inquiry.