Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hospital baby deaths: nurse re-arrested
Suspect quizzed on 8 murders
A NURSE was yesterday arrested for the third time on suspicion of the murder and attempted murder of babies at a hospital’s neonatal unit.
Suspect Lucy Letby, 30, was previously held by police in 2018 and again last year over infant deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire.
Det Ch Insp Paul Hughes, of Cheshire Police, said: “As part of ongoing inquiries, the healthcare professional was today re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of nine babies.
“The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their inquiries.”
He earlier announced: “In July 2018 a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit. She was bailed pending further inquiries.
“In June 2019 she was re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six. She was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.”
Detectives began investigating baby deaths at the hospital in May 2017. The inquiry eventually widened to cover the deaths of 17 as well as 16 non-fatal collapses from March 2015 to July 2016.
After Letby’s previous arrests, police searched her home in Chester.
In a 2013 newspaper interview Letby, originally from Hereford, said she cared for babies needing various support levels.
She worked at the neonatal unit as a student in three years’ training and qualified as a children’s nurse at the University of Chester in 2011. Letby said she began working at the unit after graduating.
DCI Hughes said: “Parents of all the babies have been kept fully updated on the new development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
“It is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children. This is an extremely difficult time for them all.
“Due to its nature this investigation is extremely challenging but despite the passage of time it is very much active and ongoing. There is no set timescale.”
Clinical negligence specialist Emma Doughty of solicitors Slater and Gordon, who represent some of the bereaved parents, said their clients were in “a truly heartbreaking situation”.
She added: “Not only have they lost their babies, they have had to deal with numerous investigations and arrests.
“And all the while not knowing what really happened to their babies. We would very much like them to get justice.”