KENDAL, UK – Startling allegations of mistreatment and infant fatalities have emerged from the former St. Monica’s Maternity Home in Kendal, leading the Diocese of Carlisle to issue an official apology to the family of a woman who tragically took her own life years after purportedly experiencing abuse at the institution.
Stephen Hindley has come forward, revealing that he believes his late wife, Judith, took her own life in 2006 as a result of the trauma she endured during her time at St. Monica’s Maternity Home. In 1963, at the age of 17, Judith was sent to this facility for unmarried mothers to deliver her child.
The Diocese of Carlisle, which had operated the now-closed home located on Dalton Drive, expressed shock and deep regret following Mr. Hindley’s claims. He asserted that his wife was mistreated and tragically lost her baby, also named Stephen, when authorities allegedly denied her access to hospital care. It was reported that the child was subsequently interred in an unmarked grave within Kendal’s cemetery, leading to concerns that many other infants from the same institution may have met the same fate.
In response to these disturbing revelations, diocesan leaders have issued a heartfelt appeal to anyone else who may have been affected by these events to come forward.
Simultaneously, there have been mounting calls for a comprehensive police investigation into the reported baby deaths at the former St. Monica’s Maternity Home.
Addressing these harrowing allegations, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron conveyed his profound sadness, stating, “It’s appalling, I’m utterly heartbroken for Stephen and for Judith, who passed away, and for all their family. It’s utterly horrific, and what this has revealed is that, it looks like, in a cemetery that I know well, there are perhaps tens of babies, unnamed in an unmarked grave, who died due to poor care at St. Monica’s in the 1960s in Kendal. It’s tragic and horrific to think what those women went through and what they may still be going through. There needs to be a police investigation, and every one of those babies needs to be named and remembered, and justice needs to be done.”
At present, Cumbria Police has not received any reports related to these claims, but they have urged anyone with information to step forward and assist in the investigation.
In an official statement, the Diocese of Carlisle expressed their deep remorse and offered their thoughts and prayers to Mr. Hindley and his family. They acknowledged the distressing accounts of historical abuse brought to light by Mr. Hindley, concerning his wife, Judith, and the former St. Monica’s Maternity Home. The statement read, “It is shocking to learn of such mistreatment, and we offer our sincere apologies and deepest sympathy to Mr. Hindley and his family. Huge trust will have been placed on those who supported the young women and girls at St. Monica’s, and we are truly sorry if that trust was breached in the care of Mrs. Hindley and her baby, Stephen, leading to her long-term mental health issues.”
The diocese has confirmed that their safeguarding adviser has been in contact with Mr. Hindley and expressed gratitude for his courage in coming forward. They have further committed to working alongside him as he seeks answers and are fully prepared to cooperate with other relevant statutory agencies.
St. Monica’s Maternity Home, initially established in 1918 and later relocated to Dalton Drive in 1933, ceased operations in 1970, eventually becoming the Silver Howe retirement home.
