Nurse is re-arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and trying to kill another nine at the Countess of Chester hospital neonatal unit
A healthcare professional, understood to be nurse Lucy Letby, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and trying to kill another nine at the Countess of Chester Hospital neo-natal unit.
Letby was previously arrested in 2018 and 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes of Cheshire Police said: ‘It has been more than three years since we first launched an investigation into a number of baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Lucy Letby, pictured, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and trying to kill another nine at the Countess of Chester Hospital neo-natal unit
‘In that time a dedicated team of detectives have been working extremely hard on this highly complex and very sensitive case doing everything they can as quickly as they can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.
‘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 neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital. She was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.
‘In June 2019, the healthcare professional was re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies. She was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.
‘Today, as part of our ongoing enquiries, the healthcare professional has been 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 enquiries.’
A police car outside the Women & Children’s Bulding at the Countess of Chester hospital when Letby was re-arrested in 2019
He added: ‘Parents of all the babies have been kept fully updated on this latest development and they are continuing to be 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.
‘Due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging but it is important to remember that, despite the passage of time, it is very much active and ongoing. There are no set timescales and we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation.
‘We fully appreciate that it continues to have a big impact on all those involved – including the families of the babies, staff and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.’
Anyone with information about the case should email operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or call police on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.’