Father jailed for the murder of five week old baby after sustained physical abuse

A father who subjected his five‑week‑old daughter to extreme and repeated violence has been jailed for her murder.

Sean Jefferson, 35, of Walsall, was today (Thursday 16 April) sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment at Stafford Crown Court after being convicted of murdering his baby daughter, Darcy.

Following an eight‑week trial last month, Jefferson was found guilty of murder and two counts of Section 18 – causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Darcy’s mother, Amy Leigh Clark, 34, of Lichfield, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment after being convicted of causing or allowing the death of her child, and two counts of causing or allowing serious physical harm.

We were called by the ambulance service on Mother’s Day (Sunday 27 March) 2022, after Darcy collapsed at her home in Burntwood. Both Jefferson and Clark were arrested the following day. Darcy died from her injuries in hospital on 29 March 2022.

A complex and challenging investigation by Staffordshire Police’s Major Investigations Department, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service, culminated in both defendants being charged in May 2025.

The investigation established that Darcy died as a result of a catastrophic head injury. However, this was not an isolated act of violence.

During the five weeks of her short life, Darcy was repeatedly assaulted. By the time of her death, she had suffered 47 fractured ribs and fractures to both legs, injuries inflicted on at least three separate occasions. Medical evidence confirmed these were the result of deliberate violence. These were not the only injuries she endured.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Fitzgerald, of our Major Investigations Department, said: “This was sustained and merciless abuse of a defenceless baby by the very people who were meant to protect her. Darcy was violently assaulted again and again.

“Her father murdered her. Her mother allowed the abuse to continue until it killed her. Their actions represent an appalling betrayal of parental responsibility. Jefferson will now spend a significant part of his life in prison, but no sentence can ever reflect the cruelty inflicted on Darcy or repair the devastation left behind.

“Our thoughts remain with her elder sibling.

“I want to recognise the professionalism, determination and resilience of the officers and staff who worked tirelessly to secure justice for Darcy, alongside the CPS prosecutor and prosecution barristers, Harpreet Sandhu KC and Joshua Purser.”