BM, Re (Children: Tracking Devices)

BM, Re (Children: Tracking Devices)

The court found that both parents were involved in the decision and execution of placing tracking devices on their children in foster care, with the likely purpose of facilitating abduction or undermining the placement. The parents' evidence was inconsistent, lacking credibility, and indicative of a concerted effort to conceal the truth. The use of tracking devices posed a significant risk of harm to the children and justified the Local Authority's concerns.

Parties
Applicant: A Local Authority; Respondent: A Mother; Respondent: A Father; Respondent: The Children
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Care Proceedings (children) / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made against both parents; both found to have participated in placing tracking devices for improper purposes.
Legal Topics
Use of Tracking Devices, Parental Responsibility, Factual Determination, Child Abduction Risk
Family Law Child Protection Use of Tracking Devices Parental Responsibility Factual Determination Child Abduction Risk

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 13 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

A Local Authority

Applicant

A Mother

Respondent

A Father

Respondent

The Children

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care Proceedings (children) / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether parents placed tracking devices on children in foster care
  2. 2 Whether the parents' actions constituted a risk of abduction or significant harm
  3. 3 Assessment of credibility of parental evidence

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that both parents were involved in the decision and execution of placing tracking devices on their children in foster care, with the likely purpose of facilitating abduction or undermining the placement. The parents' evidence was inconsistent, lacking credibility, and indicative of a concerted effort to conceal the truth. The use of tracking devices posed a significant risk of harm to the children and justified the Local Authority's concerns.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made against both parents; both found to have participated in placing tracking devices for improper purposes.

Orders

  • Findings to be used in future case management and welfare evaluation; no immediate change to interim care arrangements specified in this judgment.