‘He was my everything’: Mum seeks answers after son’s death in foster care

“He was my everything” – the words of a mum who lost her son in tragic circumstances more than two years ago.

Maria Mutadiua says she has been left “destroyed” by 15-year-old’s Quinton’s death while he was in foster care and what she says is a lack of answers surrounding his suicide.

The mother and her legal team are now calling for a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

“That was my son. First of all they were not supposed to take him. He was my everything,” she told STV News.

Maria moved to Glasgow as a refugee in 2009. The following year, her son Quinton, two, and four-year-old daughter Samantha were taken into foster care.

“They didn’t say anything. They just took my kids… I was left in limbo,” Maria said.

For more than a decade she fought for Quinton’s return.

In January 2024, she received distressing news that Quinton had taken his own life.

“I suddenly saw two police coming. I ran to them and asked ‘is my son alive?’ to get that part secure, his safety. But then he shakes his head saying my son is not alive.

“A 15 year old. What really happened to drive him to do something big like that? They need to come tell me what happened with my son. I’m destroyed.”

The latest figures from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research show that 16 children died while in foster care in Scotland in 2024.

Women’s Integration Network founder Olivia Ndoti has been supporting Maria and her other children, who remained in her care.

“Maria’s story is bitterly sad. This family haven’t received counselling. All we know is that he took his own life.

“She was showing bravery and hope that the kids were going to come back.

“All of this has affected the whole family.”

The family want a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

Solicitor Jelina Berlow-Rahman is representing Maria.

She says they have not received an update from the Crown Office in relation to an FAI.

“This is about a mother who wants answers so she can put this to rest and make sure this doesn’t happen to another family. It has broken up her family.

“Her children will never know their sibling.

“First of all, we should be a society about supporting mothers. We should be a society and a community about not taking children away unless it is absolutely necessary.

“Why was Quinton not returned to Maria? Why did Quinton take his own life? We need the Crown Office to assign a FAI.”

The Crown Office confirmed Quinton’s death is the subject of an ongoing investigation.

A spokesperson said: “The death of a 15-year-old child on 4 January 2024 in North Ayrshire is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. We are awaiting the outcome of the Glasgow City Council Learning Review, which will be considered as part of our investigation.

“Once enquiries have concluded, where the facts and circumstances provide the basis for one and it is in the public interest, a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry may be instructed. We would seek the views of Quinton’s family before any decision is made.”

Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership said a learning review is well underway.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We are aware of the family circumstances, including the tragic death of Quinton. However, given the sensitivity and complexity surrounding this case we are not in a position to comment further.”

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of services available can be found at stv.tv/advice

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visitwww.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.