The Slow Newscast The mother and the gangs
8 snips
Aug 19, 2025 Jodi-Ann Taylor, a devoted mother and advocate, shares her heartbreaking journey following the murder of her son, Dejan Campbell, at just 15 years old. She discusses the systemic failures that leave families vulnerable to gang violence and the emotional turmoil of navigating her son's troubling teenage years. With her fierce resolve, Jodi-Ann highlights the urgent need for collective action against the rising tide of youth violence, calling for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by families in distressed communities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mother’s Struggle With School Warnings
- Jodi-Ann Taylor describes her son Dejan's shifting behaviour and growing school problems before he was killed at 15.
- She repeatedly sought help from school and services but felt ignored and unsupported.
Mother Fights To Bring Son Home From Care
- Marie Bocasa recounts Kellyanne’s long exposure to gangs, removal into care and repeated absences before his murder.
- She says she tried many interventions and felt the system failed her son.
National Rise In Teen Knife Violence
- Youth knife homicides in England have more than doubled in a decade, and hospital admissions for knife injuries are rising.
- The crisis has broadened beyond inner cities to towns nationwide, with London at the epicentre.