Police search home of nurse ‘arrested over murder of EIGHT babies and attempts to kill another six’ at Countess of Chester Hospital
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Police search home of nurse ‘arrested over murder of EIGHT babies and attempts to kill another six’ at Countess of Chester Hospital
Police investigating the suspicious deaths of eight babies at a Cheshire neonatal unit have searched the home of the parents of a nurse who works at the facility.
Officers have searched the home of Lucy Letby and that of her parents in connection with the investigation.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital during 2015 and 2016.
‘In addition the investigation was also conducting a review of six non-fatal collapses during the same period.
‘Since the start of our enquiries and, as the information gathering process has continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened.
‘We are now currently investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses between the period of March 2015 and July 2016.’
He described the case as ‘highly complex and very sensitive’, adding: ‘We recognise that this investigation has a huge impact on all of the families, staff, and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.
‘Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers.
‘This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and 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.’
Five years ago, Miss Letby was chosen as the face of a campaign to raise £3 million for the unit, which cared for premature or poorly babies. At the time, she said: ‘I enjoy seeing them progress and supporting their families.’
Shocked neighbours of Miss Letby’s parents in Hereford described her as ‘very career-driven’, and said she had been dedicated about getting a job in the NHS.
Solicitors representing some of the bereaved parents said they were ‘hopeful the investigation can provide answers’.
At 6am yesterday, police arrived at Miss Letby’s modern £180,000 three-bedroom semi-detached house in Chester, about a mile from the hospital. A car with an NHS parking permit in the windscreen was moved from the driveway as a police tent was erected, and officers were seen removing items from the property.
One neighbour said: ‘I was woken by a police car arriving. This is a very quiet road and you don’t expect it to happen right on your street.’
Interviewed in 2013, Miss Letby said she had worked at the neonatal unit since graduating as a children’s nurse from the University of Chester two years previously.
Pictured holding a tiny sleepsuit in support of a local newspaper’s fundraising appeal, she added: ‘My role involves caring for a wide range of babies requiring various levels of support.
‘Some are here for a few days, others for many months and I enjoy seeing them progress and supporting their families. I am currently undergoing extra training in order to develop and enhance my knowledge and skills within the intensive care area.’
A blue tent was was erected outside her £180,000 home in Chester yesterday morning.
Police today confirmed they had arrested a woman who they described only as ‘a healthcare professional’ yesterday morning. They have not said whether the woman is a nurse, doctor or worked in another role.
She is being questioned of suspicion of having murdered eight of the children and attempting to murder six others.
According to The Sun, Cheshire Police confirmed the arrest was made on the same street where the blue forensics tent has been erected.
The suspect is being questioned of suspicion of having murdered eight of the children and attempting to murder six others.
Police spent the day searching Ms Letby’s £180,000 home, which is about a mile from the Countess of Chester Hospital.
An NHS source told the Times, Ms Letby was transferred from clinical duties in late 2016. The source said: ‘They moved her into admin, they didn’t move her to another nursing position. If they did think she was suspicious why didn’t they suspend her’.
Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, described the arrest as a ‘significant step forward’.
He revealed the scope of the probe had been widened since police took up the case and they are now examining the care of 32 babies, 17 of whom had died.
DI Hughes said: ‘When the investigation was first launched it was focusing on the deaths of 15 babies that occurred between the period of June 2015 and June 2016.
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