Jessica Jade Randall

Jessica was born on the 29 September 2005. She lived for only 54 days until she died on the 22
November 2005. Her tiny life was filled with suffering at the hands of her biological father who is
now serving a whole life term prison sentence.
Attached are links to childrens, welfare and charity organisation on signs of child abuse and how we
can all make our contribution to the safety and protection of children.
One can only imagine what Jessica was going through. It is a sickening and appalling account of
child suffering and abuse, amidst a busy town surrounded by neighbours and families, under the
watchful eye of the social care system intended to protect her.
Yet surrounded by so many that could have ended her torment, with all the physical signs of abuse in
her home environment and medical evidence on her tiny frail body, she was repeatedly allowed to
return home to the hands of her father. People closed their eyes or chose to do nothing to help this
defenceless and completely dependant baby.

Jessica’s suffering is now at an end. She paid the ultimate price for the failure of so many to
watch over her. To listen when she cried, to look when she could not speak and act when we knew she
was in such desperate need.
Jessica is now at rest in a peaceful cemetery in the south of England. Sadly this is the only
picture I have of Jessica. Her grave is very humble, a simple wooden cross stating her full name and
date she died. I could find very little in the way of tokens of affection or memorials of her life.
A sad, tragic and heartbreaking reflection of her treatment in this world.

I want to allow people the opportunity to think about Jessica. Show Jessica how much she is loved
and how important and significant her life was to us all. To think about the most precious gift of
all, a tiny child with so much to live, and to make a pledge never to allow another child to follow
the same fate. For then we would have all truly failed Jessica.

Jessica sweet angel, although I was never blessed with the privilege of holding you, cuddling you or
kissing your salty tears away you have touched my own life in so many ways.
Your memory and your spirit is alive in the hearts and minds of every single person who cares.
You are now free in a far better place where you can no longer be hurt. We are now left with only
the legacy of your neglect and betrayal in our arms. The world is a much, much sadder place without
you.

Dream in peace sweat heart, free from fear, free from pain.
You will be loved eternally.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/default.html

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

http://www.safechild.co.uk/SAFE/index.html


If we do not remember the victims of child abuse we will change nothing. It is the responsibility of
every caring parent, every decent human being to never turn away from a child in need. Jessica
Randall’s memorial stands for that determination to end child suffering.
The signs of child abuse are always there and we must all be aware of those signs and choose to
respond to them. We must all do whatever we have to do, whenever we have to do it to protect the
most sacred, the most silent and most vulnerable in society.
There were many opportunities to save little Jessica, but tragically no-one did.
There is no justice that will ever bring a dead child back and no sentence that will ever reflect
the suffering of an abused or neglected child.
For there can be only one acceptable outcome for a child at risk and that is prevention. There can
be no complacency when it to the protection of children and there is no second chance to save a
child’s life.
We must all be prepared and have the courage to intervene, to do the right thing, get involved and
not leave it to someone else to protect our children. One day we may all have this ethical choice at
our doorstep should we even suspect a child is at risk- please let us all remember Jessica.