Childminder Admits to Neglecting 27 Children

A childminder has pleaded guilty to willfully neglecting and abandoning children in her care, leaving more than 20 children unsupervised at her home. Amanda Mathewson, 55, entered her plea at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Mathewson was looking after 27 children, significantly exceeding the 19 more than she was licensed to care for, according to the BBC. Police arrested Mathewson following allegations of cruelty after parents received a tip-off about her making school runs. Investigations revealed that parents had trusted Mathewson with their children, only to discover them abandoned and screaming when they entered her home to check on them.

At the time of her arrest, Mathewson had 15 children under 12, 10 children under primary school age, and two infants under the age of one in her care. The court heard from various children that being left alone in Mathewson's home was a common occurrence. Parents also reported that their children returned home thirsty, with some not having eaten while in her care. Other concerns included children returning with soiled diapers or feces in their underwear.

Mathewson, who had been a self-employed childminder for 30 years, provided services at her home in Dunfermline for children under 16. Court documents indicated that Mathewson would play loud music and prevent parents from entering the home at drop-off times to conceal the extent of her overcapacity.

Mathewson claimed she was receiving assistance from a "child-minding friend." However, a Care Inspectorate report from August 2023 stated Mathewson was registered to care for a maximum of eight children. Specific conditions included no more than six children under 12, three who had started primary school, and only one infant under 12 months old.

During an unannounced inspection around a year before her arrest, the Care Inspectorate had rated areas such as care, learning, and the setting as 'very good,' noting that children were cared for in a "comfortable, welcoming and homely environment" with "warmth, kindness and a nurturing approach."

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate stated that changes have been implemented as a result of lessons learned from this case. One parent expressed that while the criminal case is important for justice, their primary goal is to prevent other families from experiencing similar trauma, stating, "Our trust was broken, but our resolve is not."

Detective Inspector Stephanie Drummond described the investigation as complex, involving multiple offenses under the Children and Young Persons Act. Mathewson was arrested and charged on July 2, 2025, following inquiries into offenses that occurred in the Dunfermline area between September 2023 and August 2024. The investigation involved collaboration with various partner agencies, and authorities remain committed to supporting victims and protecting children.