Shortly after the baby was born, a routine visit was carried out by a health student who raised concerns about a 2.5cm bruise on the baby’s lower rib area, Wales Online reported .

After the parents were unable to provide an exact explanation for the bruising, a Cardiff and Vale Health Board GP carried out a child protection medical examination.

The “significant chest wall bruise” was found to be “unusual” for a toy being knocked over, which the parents had suggested may have caused the mark.

A 1.5 cm darker green/blue area within the 2.5 cm bruise was considered to be of “high concern for non-accidental injury”.

“Blood Disorder”

Within days, the Vale of Glamorgan council removed the child from his parents and placed him in the care of other family members, with the parents only being allowed to visit under supervision.

The council then sought a care order to give her parental responsibility for the child, citing the bruise as the only basis for the claim.

District Judge Julian Hussell granted an interim care order and adjourned the case for the baby to be assessed by a consultant paediatrician, who cast doubt on Cardiff and Vale’s child protection medical record.

The pediatrician wrote in his report that the baby’s blood tests and initial examination “were not performed as recommended by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to rule out a bleeding or clotting disorder.”

He concluded that the bruise on the torso was likely to have been accidental and could have been caused by the bar of a pram catching the child while being placed in it.

Following this report, and around five months without their child, the parents applied for the case to be dismissed.

However, Judge Hussell did not dismiss the case after holding that it was not “obvious” that the council would not meet the criteria for a care order, instead adjourning for blood tests which he noted “should have be performed” earlier.

Withdraw the request

Tests indicated mild von Willebrand disease, and he concluded that the child might have a borderline bleeding tendency.

The council accepted it could not prove the bruising was caused by poor care and asked the judge for permission to withdraw its application for a care order.

James Lewis, the council’s lawyer, admitted that from the start of the case “the medical evidence was not very strong”.

He added: “I have to say I can’t imagine the strain these procedures have put on mum, dad and the family as a whole. It’s clear they love their son very much and want to be reunited with him.”

Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have been contacted for comment.