THE ex-partner of Kat Hooper has criticised social services over its treatment of her before she jumped to her death on Dartmoor.
Ms Hooper killed herself and her son by jumping from Haytor Rocks in July last year. She carried five-year-old Joshua Patterson on her back before descending to the ground.
Two-year-old Samuel Patterson was found dead later that day by police at the family home in Dukes Close, Paignton.
A coroner at their inquest in Torquay on Monday found Joshua was unlawfully killed. In the case of Samuel coroner Ian Arrow recorded an open conclusion, meaning he could not be clear how he died. Some of the evidence indicated he may have drowned in the bath.
The inquest was told that six months prior to their death Katherine's children had been taken away from her after she took some pills and ran away from the house.
She went to court and was given them back.
After the inquest Neil Patterson, father of the two boys, released a statement. It was read to the assembled press by his brother Michael.
He said: "I would like to thank the police officers who were involved in this more horrendous case. Dealing with the death of my young and innocent family members could not have been easy for them.
"Secondly, the same facts cannot be said about the social services, workers that were involved with Katherine, Joshua and Samuel. Joshua and Katherine's deaths could and should be been prevented."
He added: "Nothing can be said or done to bring back my beautiful family but I am of the opinion that all of the workers who were meant to be monitoring the care of my family should be facing gross negligent charges at the very least."
He said a serious case review into the circumstances of the support Kat and her family received 'seemed to be non-existent'.
He added: "In regard to events that may or may not have happened, people will make their own minds up as to how Samuel died.
"Knowing Katherine as I do, and after hearing and seeing all the evidence, it is clear to my family and me that Samuel accidently drowned in our bath, filled with water from our bath the previous night.
"When Katherine woke that morning she would have been confronted with the unimaginable sight of Samuel having drowned in the bath.
"No words or actions could have described the most horrific thoughts that must have exploded in Katherine's mind. She would have known that her life was now over and that she would have lost Joshua again and even faced the prospect of ending up in custody for Samuel's death.
"Katherine would have been in the darkest hole imaginable."
In response David Taylor, chairman of the Torbay and Safeguarding Children Board, said: "This was a tragic event and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Katherine, Joshua and Samuel.
"Following the inquest the Torbay Safeguarding Children Board will now be finalising the serious case review which will examine if any lessons can be learnt. The SCR will be available later this year and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment until this has been released."
