A GRIMSBY couple who admitted neglecting their daughter were told they had a "clear deficit of parenting skills".
Grimsby Crown Court heard Jason Roberts, 31, and Emily Adams, 23, of Gilbey Road, had failed to change their daughter's nappy often enough – causing her to develop "severe nappy rash" – and failed to seek any medical help.
Judge David Tremberg said they had a "clear deficit of parenting skills" and "more extensive" than the case had shown.
He added it was a good thing the child – now aged three – had since been adopted.
Prosecuting, James Keeley said Humberside Police had visited the couple's home on April 2 last year and discovered the child in her cot.
She was removed from the house, where the couple were also present, and taken to Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.
The extent of the rash was discovered when social workers changed her nappy.
She was examined by a consultant pediatrician, who said "any responsible parent" would have sought medical assistance, adding her condition suggested neglect.
When social services visited the couple the next day, Roberts was said to be "hostile" telling them he "couldn't stand the sight of them".
They were arrested the following day and the child was taken into care.
On hearing Judge Tremberg intended to deal with the couple by means of a community order, Richard Hackfath, for Roberts, offered no mitigation.
He was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.
For Adams, Simon Hirst said his client was suffering issues with her knees and questioned whether she would be fit to undertake unpaid work.
She was given a 12-month community order, with 12 months supervision.
Sentencing the pair, Judge David Tremberg said: "Both of you fall to be sentenced for the offence of neglect, which you have pleaded guilty to. In early 2010, you two chose to bring a young child into the world. "Having a child comes with responsibility. Children need love and at least a basic standard of care and, as her natural parents, that fell to you. "At her tender age, she is utterly dependant on you for her wellbeing. "You James Roberts, were clearly preoccupied with identity issues of your own and proved unable or unwilling to demonstrate meaningful concern for the child." He added Emily Adams had been "disadvantaged" by her own upbringing and suffered life-long learning difficulties.