The neighbours of two evil parents who killed their 10-month-old baby on Christmas Day 2020 have blasted the council and social services for not protecting the little boy enough.
Finley Boden was left with over 130 injuries and died at the family home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, just 39 days after he was placed back in the care of his parents Stephen Boden, 30, and Shannon Marsden, 22.
Sarah Bryan, who lived near the family, claimed Marsden once had a boot mark around her face - and there was also a sign on the door too.
The woman claimed Marsden told her that Boden had "strangled her" while she was crying.
Ms Bryan said she blames Derbyshire County Council and the social services over the care of little Finley.
The boy was removed from his parents' home shortly after he was born in February 2020 - but months later he was brought back even though the social worker had recommended a longer transition.
The court heard that just weeks after the baby was back living with the couple, a social worker looked through the window to see Finley "lying on the sofa, by himself" - however, the youngster remained in his parents' care.
Neighbour Ms Bryan has now hit out at the council and social services in Derby, saying they should be "ashamed for themselves" as they "should've been there to protect that little boy".
She told ITV News: "Why would you want to put a child with a couple that aren't stable, that are always fighting and arguing and violent and everything. You wouldn't want to do that.
"That little boy would still be here if it wasn't for them doing their job properly."
Georgia Hubbard, who also lived near the couple, said the couple's home was always full of rubbish, with dog poo on the floor.
She added little Finley's clothes were "filthy" and he looked "completely disheveled".
She explained: "He just looked completely disheveled, you wouldn't say he was like a normal happy like my kids are happy and healthy, he just looked ill. There was no colour to his face."
Ms Hubbard added she feels guilty for not saying anything at the time.
Boden and Marsden were convicted after a five-week trial at Derby Crown Court yesterday. They will be sentenced on May 26.
After their conviction, a Derbyshire County Council spokeswoman said: "Finley's death is a tragedy and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. Following the conviction of Finley's parents for murder we continue to be fully engaged with the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership which has commissioned a local child safeguarding practice review.
"This is a statutory legal process, formerly referred to as a serious case review, which looks in depth at the role of all agencies following the death of a child. The review is conducted independently and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further until that review is complete to ensure we do not pre-empt its findings.
"Once the review process has concluded we will be in a position to communicate more fully about this case."
