I never met baby Preston Davey, but I've lost so much sleep over this case... his story has torn me apart

“I cannot - and don't want to - imagine what that poor baby went through.... We owe him; we need change.”

That was just one of the dozens of angry and infuriated comments left by the 12,000 people who have signed a petition calling on the government to launch a national inquiry into the safeguarding failures which led to 13-month-old Preston Davey’s horrific death.

With momentum behind the petition growing, over 12,000 people have now lent their support to growing calls for the government to answer questions over how a defenceless baby boy in the care of the state could be so badly let down by every system designed to protect him.

Many have also felt moved to add comments to the petition, with every single one expressing unfathomable horror at how an innocent child was able to be preyed upon and murdered by the man who was in the process of adopting him. The man he came to know as ‘dad’.

Kamala said: “Baby Preston did not deserve the things these monsters did to him... JUSTICE FOR BABY PRESTON. My mommy heart breaks for him also for the foster family that had him from the beginning. This needs to STOP!

“I had to stop watching the videos being shown because this story did not just break my heart but I've lost so much sleep and I never met baby Preston. This story tore me apart.”

Amelia said: “My heart breaks for Preston and what he went through over the last 4 months of his life. He deserved so much better and it saddens me that he was left alone with those monsters who were meant to care and love him.

“He should have been starting school this year and instead we all mourn for this beautiful boy. Reading what Preston had gone through hurts and makes me cry, even more so seeing his smiley face in all of the pictures. Preston was failed once, we shouldn’t fail him again!”

Amanda said: “This can't be allowed to happen again. I cannot - and don't want to - imagine what that poor baby went through. We owe him. We need change.”

Sheena said: “This should’ve never happened! He was a beautiful & happy baby with his whole life ahead of him! I don’t want to see this happen to other innocent babies.”

Sue said: “Vulnerable young children are repeatedly let down by the system. We don't want to hear another ‘lessons have been learned’ statement. Enough is enough, someone needs to take accountability for the failed protection yet again of a young baby...

“Child protection was put in place to protect young babies and children, it has failed miserably yet again.”

Pamela said: “My heart breaks for little Preston he did not deserve any of what that evil pair subjected him to in his short life.”

Ann said: “This beautiful big eyed little Preston , was such a angel brought here, he didn't deserve what those two animals did to him , he couldn't speak , I'm so saddened every time I see that article , WE need to be careful who are children are around, I hope they get what they deserve.”

Mary said: “I can't stop thinking about what he went through. This is horrifying.”

Angela said: “Little sweet innocent Preston was subjected to vile, painful cruelty, and had no one to protect him. It’s soul destroying to think a baby boy could be treated like he didn't matter. No other child should ever go through this. Sadly there’s too many vile monsters in this world; we have to make changes NOW!”

Gary said: “What Preston went through no child should ever have to endure, this needs serious review to find all areas and changes made now to ensure no child will ever experience this again.”

Paul said: “This poor young lad was let down by the system that has been broken for many years. A huge shame.”

Sophie said: “No child should be born to die and my heart aches for this little boy every day! My son is two months to the day younger then him... I just can't get my head around how two people could be so just pure god damn evil.

“Save a place up there darling. I'll come be by your side for all eternity and hold you tight. Rest in perfect paradise darling xx”

Allan said: “Utterly disgusting pure evil. RIP Preston”

Sophia said: “Totally unacceptable that Preston suffered in such a way and no one noticed. I am horrified that he had to die in such a way.”

Robyn said: “This is the most horrendous and saddest case! That poor beautiful baby! RIP darling heart.”

Narisse said: “This boy deserves so much better! We need to protect children.”

Preston Davey deserved better.

The Blackpool Gazette and the Lancashire Post, backed by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Preston's birth parents Sarah Davey and Gary Nolan, are calling on the government to launch a national inquiry into the safeguarding failures that cost Preston his life.

Speaking after the sentencing, Preston’s birth mum Sarah Davey said: “A public inquiry would mean everything to us. The safeguarding put in place for Preston was clearly not enough. It was a tick box exercise.

“I stand with The Gazette in calling for a national inquiry to ensure lessons are learned after what happened to Preston.”

Gary Nolan, Preston’s birth dad said: “We need to ensure this doesn’t happen to any other child in the future. We also need to know it hasn’t happened again since Preston’s death. I fully back The Gazette’s campaign for a national inquiry.”

We need answers. Specifically:

- Why were repeated warning signs - three hospital admissions, an abuser's own admission of dark thoughts, routine social worker contact - not acted on?

- Should children placed outside their home authority automatically be assigned a local social worker with direct oversight of their care?

- How are repeat hospital admissions for children in care shared between the NHS, the placing authority, and the authority where the child lives?

- Are adoption vetting procedures rigorous enough to stop prospective adopters hiding behind a false front?

We need you to sign this petition and demand the government acts.

Every child who comes after Preston deserves better too.

Join our calls for a public inquiry by signing our change.org petition here.