Pregnant girl, 12, in baby plea

Press Association Saturday May 13, 2006 11:03 AM

The pregnant schoolgirl who is about to become Britain's youngest mum is pleading with social work bosses to let her keep her baby, it has been reported.

The girl, who was aged just 11 when she became pregnant, fears the infant may be taken into care when it is born. It emerged on Friday that the girl, now aged 12, will become the country's youngest mum.

The West Lothian youngster, who has not been named, is due to give birth in a few weeks, breaking the record set by Jenny Teague, of Dorset, who had a baby aged 12 years and nine months in 1997.

But she told the Scottish Sun that social workers had warned her she may not be allowed to keep her baby.

The paper has reported that they told her the house she shares with her mother and five brothers and sisters may be too small, and needed decorating. Now she is hoping to get the chance to look after her child.

She told the newspaper: "I just need the chance to prove myself - I know I can be a good mum.
"I've been told by social workers there's a chance the baby won't come home with me from the hospital. They say our house is too small and needs redecorating.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep my baby, I don't know how I'd cope if I lost it."
And she added: "I feel like I'm being picked on because of my age but I love kids and I think being a mum will come naturally. If they take my baby away from me and my family I'll end up really depressed."

The news that the youngster is to become the UK's youngest mum sparked outrage from the Catholic Church and also led to calls for better sex education.