Dana Carr, 27, who was jailed in December 2023 for allowing her toddler daughter Maya Chappell to be murdered by her boyfriend, is scheduled for release by Christmas, having served just one-third of her sentence. Maya was shaken to death in September 2022 by Michael Daymond, Carr's boyfriend, who is serving a 20-year minimum sentence for the crime.
Carr deliberately ignored signs of abuse against Maya, despite her father, James Chappell, attempting to intervene. The toddler died in hospital two days after the fatal assault. Carr was convicted of child cruelty and allowing her daughter's death. Her early release is permitted under a scheme that has drawn significant public backlash.
Maya's great-aunt, Gemma Chappell, a police officer, expressed dismay at the planned early release, stating it does not represent justice for Maya. "It's almost like they are saying some victims matter and others don't. Words escape me," she said. The family has campaigned for "Maya's Law" to close perceived gaps in child safeguarding laws. "Dana Carr has shown a lack of responsibility for what she has done," Gemma Chappell added. "They are going to put her back on the streets, and in our eyes we think she will re-offend."
The early release scheme was temporarily paused in late July for review but is set to proceed in October. While the government has exempted around 1,000 criminals, including rapists and child sex offenders, from the scheme, the family of Maya Chappell believes these measures do not go far enough.
This situation echoes the public anger surrounding the planned early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were convicted in 2020 for the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper. The teenagers, then 17, are eligible for release in January 2027 after serving half of their 13-year sentences. This is despite Harper's Law, enacted in the officer's memory, which would mandate life sentences for similar offenses committed today. Jason Hogg, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, called the decision "demoralising for all police officers." Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologized to PC Harper's family but has stated the government will not reverse the decision, citing concerns about prison capacity.
Maya Chappell was killed by her mother's boyfriend, Michael Daymond, after he shook her violently at home in 2022.
Carr's conviction stemmed from her failure to protect Maya from Daymond's abuse, which occurred over several weeks. Daymond's actions, described as those of a womanizer and steroid user, culminated in the fatal shaking incident. He called emergency services but also contacted the Department of Work and Pensions regarding a cut to his Universal Credit while paramedics fought to save Maya's life.
