A foster carer who was allegedly murdered by a 12-year-old boy gave “endless love and care to vulnerable children when they needed it most”, a council has said.
Marcia Grant, 60, died when she was run over by her own car outside her home in a Sheffield suburb last Wednesday.
A 12-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with her murder and remanded in youth detention. He faces a potential trial at Sheffield crown court on 14 August.
In a tribute to Grant, the leader of Rotherham borough council, Chris Read, said she was “one of our much-loved foster carers” and her death had left the fostering community “devastated”.
It is thought the “well-known, much-loved and highly respected” grandmother had fostered in the borough for about six years.
Read told a council meeting: “Not only did Marcia provide endless love and care to vulnerable children when they needed it most, she shared her time and considerable experience to nurture and support fellow foster carers. Like us, I know the fostering community are devastated by her loss.”
Foster carers across the borough would be supported following her death, he added.
“I can only begin to imagine what Marcia’s family and friends are going through. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“Our foster carers are heroes who selflessly open up their homes and their hearts to give children the best possible start in life.”
Grant’s family paid tribute to her last week as a “pillar of her community” who was “warm, loving and dedicated”.
The former social worker is believed to have been trapped under the rear of her silver Honda Accord as it reversed off the gravel driveway at about 7pm on 5 April.
Officers from South Yorkshire police, the ambulance service and the fire and rescue service rushed to help but Grant was pronounced dead at the scene.
