Who is Shannon Matthews’ mum Karen and where is ‘Britain’s worst mum’ now – all about the kidnapper – The US Sun

KAREN Matthews was dubbed “Britain’s worst mother” after taking part in the kidnapping of her nine-year-old daughter Shannon in 2008.

The evil mother’s accomplice in the disgusting plot was Michael Donovan, who died in 2024.

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Who is Karen Matthews?

Karen Matthews is the mother of Shannon Matheusa student who made national headlines when disappeared in 2008.

ShannonThe mother made several public appeals for information about her daughter’s whereabouts during the month she was missing, despite knowing where she was the entire time.

Hundreds of neighbors joined the search for Karen’s daughter, which cost West Yorkshire Police £3.2 million and lasted 24 days.

The nine-year-old boy was found tied up and drugged inside the base of a double bed in a relative’s home. Michael DonovanHer filthy apartment almost a month after her disappearance.

Matthews was dating Donovan’s nephew Craig Meehan at the time.

She hatched an elaborate plot with Donovan in a bid to claim the £50,000 reward for finding Shannon.

They planned to free the student, “discover” her and then take her to a police station and claim the reward before splitting the money.

Meehan, who had nothing to do with Shannon’s kidnapping, was jailed for 20 weeks after unrelated child sexual abuse material was discovered on his computer.

When was Karen Matthews in prison?

On December 4, 2008, Karen and Donovan were found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Both were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years in prison.

Matthews only served half of his sentence and was released from prison in 2012.

Donovan died on 16 April 2024 in a secure unit in West Yorkshire.

Has Karen Matthews been given a new identity?

Matthews was transferred to the south of England after his release from prison and given a new identity.

Despite being given a new name, she once claimed that her past made it impossible for her to find a job and she had to survive on handouts of £25 a week.

Matthews complained in 2016: “I don’t even I have credit on my phone“.

However, a year later, the evil mother was pictured working in a charity shop a day after the first episode of the 2017 BBC drama The moor side aired, later retracted going shopping before meeting your Bible group for coffee.

It was reported that the former factory cleaner I wanted plastic surgery to stop her from being bothered on the street.

The disgraced mother still maintains her innocence and has been bombarded with death threats since the BBC drama was broadcast.

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How many children did Karen Matthews have?

Karen is the mother of seven children from five different men.

All of the children, including Shannon, were taken into care following their arrest and conviction for the kidnapping plot.

Shannon is now an adult and is is not believed to have any contact with his mother.

All seven of Matthews’ children were given new identities and lifetime anonymity.

It is understood that all of the brothers legally changed their names after being interned.

Shannon Matthews kidnapping plot timeline

A look at the events that unfolded after the disappearance of student Shannon Matthews:

• February 19, 2008 – Shannon Matthews goes missing and was last seen outside Westmoor Junior School, Dewsbury.
• February 19, 2008 – Police announce they have launched a massive search involving more than 200 officers as concern grows over the missing girl.
• March 1, 2008 – Karen Matthews makes an emotional plea for Shannon’s return on the eve of Mother’s Day.
• March 5, 2008 – Police release a recording of part of the 999 call Matthews made reporting Shannon missing.
• March 14, 2008 – Shannon is found alive and hidden at the base of a divan in a house owned by Michael Donovan in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire.
• April 9, 2008 – Karen Matthews is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice over her daughter’s disappearance – new charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment were later added.
• December 4, 2008 – Matthews and Donovan are found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice and are both sentenced to eight years in prison.