Shereen Mains, a 36-year-old mother from Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland, has avoided jail time despite being found guilty of exposing her ten-week-old daughter, Darcy, to cocaine, leading to the infant’s death. A jury at Greenock Sheriff Court determined that Mains had subjected Darcy to “unnecessary suffering or injury” by ingesting the Class A drug while the baby was present. This verdict came after a trial where evidence revealed traces of cocaine on Darcy’s feeding bottles and within the Mains household. Beyond the cocaine exposure, Mains was also convicted of possessing cannabis and phenazepam, a potent benzodiazepine. While Sheriff Anthony McGeehan had the option to impose a custodial sentence, he opted for a community-based punishment, which included unpaid work, electronic monitoring, and supervision. This decision has sparked outrage from Darcy’s father, Terry McCulloch, who believes Mains deserved a prison sentence.
The tragedy unfolded in September 2019, culminating in Darcy’s death at Inverclyde Royal Hospital. McCulloch recounted the horrifying moment he learned of his daughter’s passing through a callous text message from Mains, simply stating “the wean’s deid.” Upon arriving at Mains’ residence, he found a neighbor performing CPR on Darcy while Mains looked on. The subsequent police investigation uncovered the presence of cocaine on the baby bottles, solidifying the link between Mains’ drug use and Darcy’s demise. McCulloch’s anguish is compounded by Mains’ apparent lack of remorse, as she continued to engage on social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat in the hours following Darcy’s death, posting tributes that struck McCulloch as insincere and attention-seeking.
The court’s decision to spare Mains from prison has deeply affected McCulloch. He criticized the leniency of the sentence, arguing that the electronic tag is meaningless as Mains rarely leaves her home. He further expressed frustration with the justice system, feeling marginalized and disregarded throughout the process, particularly after a scheduling error led him to miss Mains’ sentencing hearing. McCulloch maintains that a custodial sentence would have been the appropriate punishment for Mains’ actions, which he believes directly led to Darcy’s death. He has consistently referred to Mains as “scum,” highlighting his deep-seated anger and disgust at her behavior.
The details of the case paint a disturbing picture of neglect and disregard for Darcy’s well-being. Mains’ drug use within the home created an inherently dangerous environment for the infant, ultimately leading to her tragic death. The presence of cocaine on Darcy’s feeding bottles suggests a shocking level of carelessness and a complete failure to prioritize her daughter’s safety. The discovery of other drugs, including cannabis and phenazepam, within the home further underscores Mains’ ongoing substance abuse issues and the hazardous conditions in which Darcy lived. This pattern of neglect, coupled with Mains’ seemingly detached response to Darcy’s death, has understandably fueled McCulloch’s outrage and his conviction that a harsher punishment was warranted.
The fact that Mains chose to document Darcy’s death and her subsequent grief on social media platforms within hours of the tragedy raises questions about her priorities and emotional state. McCulloch interpreted these posts as a desperate attempt to garner sympathy and attention, rather than genuine expressions of grief. This behavior further solidified his perception of Mains as manipulative and self-absorbed, prioritizing her online persona over the devastating loss of her child. The stark contrast between the gravity of the situation and Mains’ seemingly superficial response only deepens the sense of injustice and underscores the profound impact of this tragedy on McCulloch.
The case of Shereen Mains and Darcy highlights the devastating consequences of substance abuse and its impact on innocent children. While the legal system has delivered its verdict, the emotional scars left on Terry McCulloch and the loss of a young life remain. Darcy is buried in Knocknairshill Cemetery, Greenock, a poignant reminder of a life tragically cut short. The inscription on her headstone, chosen by Mains, reads: “Beloved daughter of Shereen. I’ll never get to hear you laugh and giggle or see your little toes wiggle.” These words, intended as a tribute, now serve as a stark reminder of the profound loss and the unanswered questions surrounding Darcy’s untimely death.
