A Skipton hairdresser wrongly accused of abusing her terminally-ill baby has spoken of her trauma at being forced to prove she was a fit mother during the last few months of his life.

Claire Marsden, 29, said the short time she had with her son Harry Marsden-Mellin – who died from a brain tumour in November – was tainted by a six-month social services investigation sparked by an anonymous complaint made in April.

Claire underwent a home inspection and a random spot check before she was arrested on July 17 following a second complaint. She spent the next three months proving she was capable of caring for her baby before the case was dropped.

Harry’s tumour was diagnosed in October and he died the following month, aged just ten months.

Claire, who runs Chic Hair Studio in Skipton, said: “I feel as though they have robbed me of my time with him. From the first allegation, I was watching my back all the time. I bought a diary and wrote things down every day and even took photos of the thermometer when I took his temperature.”

Claire’s ordeal began when it was alleged she had locked Harry in a room with very little furniture and put a cloth over his head when he went to sleep.

Social workers from North Yorkshire County Council carried out a home inspection and checked Harry for signs of mistreatment before declaring everything was fine and there would be no further action.

Just three months later, Claire was accused of mistreating Harry again. It was alleged he suffered from nappy rash because he wasn’t changed properly, he was being force-fed and was being left in a highchair in front of the television.

It was also claimed Harry was shaky because he was being “poisoned” with children’s medicine Calpol, something Claire now thinks was a symptom of his brain tumour.

Claire passed another home check and was asked to attend a meeting with social services on July 19, but was arrested before the meeting could take place. Harry was taken to Airedale Hospital for tests.

Claire said she spent 12 hours locked in a cell at Skipton Police Station and had to undergo a mental health test to prove she was fit to be interviewed. Police officers also searched her home, car and bins.

Claire was released without charge on September 13 and said she had burst in to tears when she realised her ordeal was over.

Less than a month later, on October 10, Harry began showing symptoms of his brain tumour and he died on November 2.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said they could not comment on individual cases but, in all cases involving children, they endeavoured to ensure children were appropriately safeguarded while working closely with parents..

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said they had a duty to investigate any allegations concerning the safety of children and the protection of any child would always be of paramount importance.

Claire is now organising a ball at Skipton’s Rendezvous Hotel on April 15 to raise funds for children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent and local brain tumour charity Andrea’s Gift.

Tickets, costing £25 including a two-course meal with coffee and live music, are available from the Rendezvous Hotel and Chic Hair Studio in Skipton. To make a donation to Andrea’s Gift in memory of Harry, visit justgiving.com/harrysstar.