THE family of a young girl who died after taking her mother's heroin substitute drug had been due to discuss raising their concerns with social services on the very day the child died.

The Evening Press can reveal that a statement made to police following the tragic death of Sadie Milson on March 11 last year showed that a family meeting was due to take place on that same day, to discuss worries relatives had about the behaviour of the child's mother, Fiona Milson.

The statement, from Fiona's younger sister, Heidi Milson, said: "We were worried for Sadie's welfare, because Fiona seemed unable to look after herself, never mind a toddler.

"We rang our mum and asked if we should ring the social services. Mum was dead against this so we agreed we should meet the next day, on March 11, 2004.

"But sadly Sadie died that morning."

Fiona Milson walked free from Leeds Crown Court last month with a two-year rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to Sadie's manslaughter through gross neglect.

Today her sisters, Heidi Milson and Emma Piercey, expressed concern about the sentence.

Heidi, 26, of Norton, said: "The sentence is not what we were expecting. She has pleaded guilty to manslaughter so has admitted doing something wrong.

"It is not what I thought would happen. But I haven't spoken to Fiona for a long time and have not seen her since the court case."

Emma, 24, also of Norton, would only say: "I do not really see Fiona now. The sentence was a big surprise."

In her statement to police, Heidi described Fiona's appearance while on drugs as "declining", adding: "She lost weight, her eyes always looked drowsy. She looked pale in her complexion.

"Fiona's personality started to change, she became more manipulative. One day she would be depressed and then the next day she would be on a high.

"Because of these dramatic personality changes in Fiona, I started to see less and less of her, not wanting to be around her."

Sadie is believed to have drunk methadone after picking up a bottle from the kitchen table in her grandmother's house in Malton, when she and her mother were staying there.

Heidi said: "The only contact I have had with Fiona, since Sadie died, was at the funeral.

"I do pass her in the street occasionally, but we do not speak. I do not want any contact with her."

Emma, an accountant, said in her statement that Fiona was "selfish and lied" when on drugs. She said she "could not comprehend" why she began taking them again after Sadie's birth.

She felt concerns for the toddler and said: "I felt concerned Sadie would not be getting the right sort of attention."

Updated: 10:13 Monday, September 05, 2005