‘I Was a Bad Mother’: Baby P’s Mother Admits Her Failures Before Parole Board

Tracey Connelly tells parole hearing she remains a risk to children as she faces decision on possible release

Tracey Connelly — the mother of 17-month-old Peter Connelly, known to the public as Baby P — has admitted during her latest parole hearing that she was “a bad mother” and believes she would still pose a risk to children in her care.

Connelly, now in her 40s, was jailed in 2009 after pleading guilty to causing or allowing the death of her toddler son, whose horrific case shocked the nation and exposed severe failings in child protection services.

Peter Connelly died on 3 August 2007, after months of abuse at the family’s home in Tottenham, north London. He had suffered more than 50 injuries, including broken ribs and a fractured spine — despite being visited by social workers, police officers, and health professionals 60 times over eight months.

A Case That Shook the Nation

The death of Baby P became one of the most notorious child abuse cases in British history. Peter’s suffering and the repeated missed opportunities to save him led to widespread public outrage and major reforms within children’s services.

Connelly’s then-boyfriend Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen were also convicted of causing or allowing the child’s death.

At the time, Connelly received a sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) with a minimum term of five years, allowing her eventual release only if the Parole Board determined she was no longer a danger to the public.

Seventh Parole Review

Wednesday’s hearing marked Connelly’s seventh parole review and her second review since being recalled to prison in August last year — the second time she has been sent back to custody for breaching licence conditions.

Connelly has previously been released on licence twice: first in 2013, before being recalled in 2015; and again in July 2022, before her most recent recall two years later.

Her current hearing is being closely followed by the media and the public, as officials weigh whether she can safely return to society or should remain in prison.

Admission of Guilt and Self-Reflection

Speaking via video link at the public hearing, Connelly said she “knew deep down” that her partner Steven Barker had been abusing her son, but she had ignored her instincts.

“I think deep down I knew what was really happening, but I still wanted my ‘Prince Charming,’” she admitted.“My children paid the price for that.”

When asked whether she believed she was a risk to children, Connelly responded candidly:

“Children in my care? Yes. Given how bad I was at it, I have to always accept there’s a risk if I’m ever left looking after children — which I can’t see ever happening.”

However, she added that she does not consider herself a danger to children she might encounter in public.

“Am I really a threat to children walking down the street?”

Connelly went on to describe her parenting in deeply remorseful terms:

“I was a bad mother. I failed to protect them, I put my needs first, and I took my anger at the world out on my older children. They deserved so much better than me.”

No Future Around Children

Connelly told the panel that she had no desire to be involved in any relationship or situation where children would be present.

“I don’t want to be around other people’s children or grandchildren,” she said. “And I wouldn’t start a relationship with anyone who has frequent contact with children.”

Her statement was intended to show she understood her risk factors and was taking steps to prevent any future harm.

Pattern of Breached Conditions

The panel heard that Connelly was recalled to prison in August 2024 after officials discovered she had started a romantic relationship with a man she met online — without informing her supervising officers, as her licence required.

The Parole Board was told that the circumstances of this relationship “closely mirrored” those that led to her previous recall.

Connelly’s Prison Offender Manager (POM) said she had deleted messages and data from her phone to conceal the relationship from authorities.

Panel chairwoman Sally Allbeury acknowledged that Connelly was “perfectly entitled” to form relationships but emphasised that honesty and openness were key to maintaining her licence.

“She has the right to engage in relationships of her choosing,” Ms Allbeury said, “but she must be transparent about them.”

Recommendations and Options

Despite her breaches, Connelly’s offender manager has recommended that she be released again — this time with a stricter management plan and additional supervision.

The Parole Board is considering several options, including:

• Releasing Connelly on licence under close monitoring, or

• Transferring her to an open prison, which allows greater freedom while maintaining oversight.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

‘Lifelong Harm’ to Baby P’s Family

At the hearing, the panel also heard victim statements from members of Peter Connelly’s family.

Ms Allbeury described the testimonies as “extremely moving,” acknowledging the lasting pain caused by Peter’s death.

“There’s no doubt that Peter’s death has left lasting pain for everyone who loved him,” she said.

Peter’s relatives have repeatedly expressed opposition to Connelly’s release, arguing that she should never regain her freedom given the severity of her neglect and the suffering her son endured.

A Long Road to Redemption

More than 17 years after Baby P’s death, Tracey Connelly remains one of Britain’s most vilified figures.

Her own words at the hearing — describing herself as a “bad mother” who failed her children — underscore the deep scars left by the case.

Whether she will ever be considered safe for release remains uncertain, but her latest admission of guilt may mark a rare moment of honesty from a woman whose actions led to one of the darkest chapters in modern British child protection history.