Lee Clark was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for nine years
Opportunities were missed to help a five-month-old baby boy killed by his father, a report has found.
A review into the death of Charlee Clark, external found that a bruise reported on his leg at seven weeks old was a chance to help a "vulnerable family".
The baby, of Gainford, County Durham, died of head injuries and bleeding to the brain at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary in March 2011.
Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust said it had addressed concerns raised.
Charlee's father, Lee Clark, 28, of Neville Close, Gainford, near Darlington, was jailed for nine years in February for his manslaughter.
The review said Charlee's mother Natalie Holmes took him to see a health visitor saying an immobile baby should not have a bruise.
Having flashbacks
The case was referred to a GP but no action was taken, according to a report on behalf of the Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Its author Gill Rigg, said Miss Holmes had had a traumatic labour, was depressed and both she and Charlee's father had told midwives they were experiencing flashbacks of the birth.
However, none of the medical professions involved considered whether to suggest referring Mr Clark to his GP for support.
In February 2011, Charlee was taken to the GP surgery after his mother found him "barely responsive, sleepy and pale".
Charlee Clark lived with his parents in Gainford
His injuries were found to be "non accidental" and the consultant raised the possibility of a "shaken baby".
He died in hospital four days later.
Ms Rigg concluded there had been a "concerning breakdown" in communication between medics and the police.
However, she concluded that Charlee's death was "not predictable" and it would be "speculation" to determine what the outcome of a child protection investigation would have been.
The report added it was unlikely there would have been enough evidence to remove the child.
A statement from Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust said: "The communication problems that arose were recognised and responded to promptly.
"The designated doctor for safeguarding children in Newcastle immediately met both the police and the health staff involved to understand the cause of the problems."
- Published14 February 2013
