NEIGHBOURS of an eight-year-old girl found hanged at her home in Mansfield say the authorities should have done more to protect her.

Charlotte Avenall, who had severe learning difficulties, was found in her bedroom in Moor Street on September 12 last year.

Her mother, Susan Moody, 24, and step-father Simon Moody, 33, pleaded guilty to child cruelty at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard no-one had been into her bedroom for four weeks and it was found in a "foul and disgusting state" with faeces smeared across the walls, floor, bedding and Charlotte's soft toys.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "It's tragic. The bottom line is shouldn't the child have been taken into care and the parents given access?

"I think the communication between the agencies has to be better. The real supervision from support agencies falls far short.

"Maybe this will jolt other people to their senses."

Another woman and Moor Street resident, aged 26, said: "It's sick to be honest. With Charlotte being disabled, she was going to need extra support and care.

"My kids do not make a lot of noise but I check up on them always."

Remembering the reaction of the local community following Charlotte's death last year, she added: "I noticed people were looking at her house as they took their children to school. Some were laying flowers outside her front door."

Some Moor Street residents did not want to comment when asked about Charlotte's case, but other spoke of their shock over the events leading up to her death.

One woman said: "You would see them [Charlotte and her family] occasionally go to the shops.

"They looked like a normal family other than it was obvious Charlotte had some sort of special needs."

In court yesterday, the prosecution accepted Mrs Moody, who was Charlotte's primary carer, was unwell at the time of her daughter's death. But William Harbage QC, prosecuting, said both parents had a duty of care and should have checked the room or ensured social services or some other outside agency became involved.

The mother effectively abandoned Charlotte to her fate and left her at risk of unnecessary suffering, Mr Harbage added.

Both parents were of previous good character and were bailed by Judge Joan Butler QC until sentencing on April 9.

Charlotte was involved with social services since the year she was born.

A spokesman for Notts County Council, said: "A serious case review is under way.

"Until that review has concluded we can't say any more. We believe it may conclude around the summer.

"It is done by an independent person under the auspices of Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board.

"They look at everything including all of the agencies that had any involvement with the family."

The spokesman confirmed Charlotte's five-year-old brother is still in the care of the local authority.

Philip Owen, county council cabinet member for children's services, said: "When the report is completed, that is the point at which the learning process will come in.

"The findings and recommendations will then be considered and acted upon.

"The council will accept any recommendations that come forward."

Kate Smith, head teacher of Birklands Primary School in Warsop, where Charlotte was a pupil, said: "We are aware that this matter appeared at court today.

"As the matter is still before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment further."

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk