Defenceless Maya, two, died in Newcastle’s RVI days after being violently shaken by her mother’s new partner, Michael Daymond, at their home in Shotton Colliery in September 2022.
Daymond was later jailed for life, while Maya’s mother, Dana Carr, received a nine-year sentence for allowing her daughter’s death.
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Maya Chappell (Image: FAMILY)
In September last year, Maya’s great aunts, Gemma Chappell and Rachael Walls, set up the Maya’s Law campaign, looking to bring in a Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS), which would allow families to request information about a partner or caregiver’s violent or abusive history, similar to Clare’s Law and Sarah’s Law.
At the end of January, a petition set up by her family for a change in the law hit more than 110,000 signatures, meaning it will now be considered for a debate in parliament.
While surpassing 100,000 signatures does not automatically secure a debate, it means the Petitions Committee must now consider allocating Parliamentary time.
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Maya Chappell (Image: FAMILY)
For the family, that decision is the next crucial hurdle.
In the latest update, MPs from across the region paid tribute to Maya’s great aunts, Gemma and Rachael, whose “relentless campaigning” has propelled the issue from local tragedy to national political agenda.
Liz Twist, MP for Consett and Blaydon, said she was “absolutely delighted” the petition had gone “well above the 100,000 signatures mark”, crediting the pair with “moving heaven and earth” to make it happen.
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Consett and Blaydon MP, Liz Twist (Image: PARLIAMENT)
“That’s only happened because of their tireless work day and night,” she said.
Ms Twist confirmed she would work with the family ahead of any potential debate “to carry on making the very best case in Parliament to make Maya’s Law and stronger child protection measures a reality.”
Mary Kelly Foy, MP for the City of Durham, described the breakthrough as “absolutely amazing news”, stressing that surpassing 100,000 signatures ensures the petition will now be considered for Parliamentary debate.
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Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham (Image: PARLIAMENT)
“It’s no exaggeration to say that this petition has only reached this level thanks to the hard work of Gemma and Rachael,” she said.
“They have given everything to reach this milestone.”
But she warned that the real test lies ahead.
“It’s vital that we keep this discussion going in Parliament and ensure that Maya’s Law remains on the agenda,” she added, pledging her continued support to strengthen child protection laws.
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Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland (Image: PARLIAMENT)
Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, said his thoughts remained with Maya’s family and praised their “immense courage in campaigning for change after such a devastating loss”.
He said he “wholly supports the issue of child safeguarding failures receiving proper parliamentary scrutiny” and welcomed the opportunity for it to be debated so “lessons can be examined and improvements considered”.
“It is vital that Parliament listens carefully to families’ experiences and ensures our systems are doing everything possible to protect children,” he added.
At the heart of the proposed legislation is the creation of a Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS), which would allow families to request information about a partner or caregiver’s violent or abusive history.
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Gemma Chappell and Liz Twist (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
It would also introduce mandatory information sharing between police, health, social care and councils, strengthen multi-agency safeguarding protocols and give professionals clearer powers to raise alerts or trigger court action.
Campaigners argue that such measures could close dangerous gaps in the current system, gaps they believe failed Maya.
Maya’s great aunt, Gemma Chappell, has urged MPs locally and nationally to ensure the issue reaches the Commons chamber and has thanked those MPs who have already given the family their support
“100,000 people have now given Maya a voice,” she said.
“But now is the time for MPs to step up.
“MPs give us so much support. With ministers seemingly pushing the School and Wellbeing Bill, we need the support of every MP.”
While Maya’s family has hailed the strength of support across North East MPs, there is a level of “anxiety” and “apprehension”, given that 100,000 signatures doesn’t guarantee a Parliamentary debate.
“It does make us uneasy that the debate could still not happen,” Gemma added.
“There are definitely gaps there. No matter what the government do, it’s not going to stop us.
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Gemma ChappelL, Great Aunt of Maya Chappell (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“This campaign is about giving Maya the voice she never had.
“We’re not naive to think that things can change overnight, but we must try to change the tide for other families who have been through the same.
“There is a mountain to climb, but we won’t stop until we get what we want and get change.”
Gemma has also called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet with the family and other bereaved families to make a case for a law change.
While the government’s target is seemingly to move forward with the multi-million-pound Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, Gemma says that she wants to work with the government to make some amendments and “protect children from falling through the cracks”.
But, with the support of MPs across the North East, it has given Gemma hope of securing a debate.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields and a former children’s social worker, said she “wholeheartedly” agrees there are gaps in the current safeguarding system and backed the four policy proposals put forward under Maya’s Law.
“There is nothing more heartbreaking than the death of a little one,” she said.
“The family are right that current legislation is highly restrictive on professionals’ ability to share information and data, which could identify safeguarding concerns early on and avoid the loss of another precious little life.
“We should be doing all we can to protect children.”
Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, said Maya and her family were “failed by the system” and gave her full backing to calls for the proposed law to be brought forward.
“Too often, we see failures in information sharing between agencies,” she said.
“Maya’s Law would ensure that safeguarding agencies fulfil their obligations and close the gaps in the current system to ensure no child slips through the cracks.”
Maya’s Law proposes four key changes:
- A Child Risk Disclosure Scheme (CRDS) allows families to request risk history information about caregivers or partners
- Mandatory information sharing between police, health, and social care agencies
- Stronger multi-agency protocols, particularly in cases involving custody or unsupervised access
- New safeguarding powers for professionals to raise alerts or trigger court action, even without an active investigation
