The jury found factors that contributed to Ruth’s death included insufficient training of staff and that her care was “not suitable nor conducive” to helping her recovery.
She was also not prevented from watching “harmful material” online. Visiting arrangements in which only one family member could visit her at any time was another contributing factor.
Her parents, Kate and Mark Szymankiewicz, a GP and surgeon respectively, made a statement outside Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in Beaconsfield following the jury’s conclusion.
Mr Szymankiewicz said his daughter was an “incredible, bright, friendly, loving and adventurous girl with a whole life of joy ahead of her”.
He added: “When at our most vulnerable as a family we reached out for help.
“We ultimately found ourselves trapped in a system that was meant to care for her, to help her, to keep her safe and instead locked her away and harmed her.”
Ruth’s mum added: “There is an empty space at our table, a silent bedroom in our home and a gaping hole in our family that will never be filled.”