Man, 34, and woman, 37, arrested on suspicion of murdering one-year-old baby boy in ‘deeply distressing case’
- Child was living with adoptive parents in Barrow when he died on January 7
- He was rushed to Furness General Hospital before taken to Alder Hey Hospital
- Two people, from Barrow, were arrested on suspicion of murder following death
A man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a one-year-old boy in a ‘deeply distressing case.’
The child was living with his adoptive parents in Barrow when police received a report from North West Ambulance Service regarding the incident at a property in Cumbria.
He was still under the care of Cumbria County Council, who have since referred themselves for an independent review.
The baby boy was rushed to Furness General Hospital before being transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for specialist medical care due to his critical condition.
He passed away the next afternoon on January 7.
The child was living with adoptive parents in Barrow when he died while still under the care of Cumbria County Council, who have since referred themselves for an independent review. Pictured: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool
A woman, 37, and a man, 34, both from Barrow, have now been arrested on suspicion of murder, causing and allowing the death of a child and two other counts of assault/ill treatment/neglect/abandon a child/young person to cause unnecessary injury.
They have been released on bail pending an investigation.
John Readman, executive director of People at Cumbria County Council, said in a statement: ‘This is a deeply distressing case and our thoughts are with the little boy’s family.
‘We can confirm that he was looked after by the Local Authority and at the time of his death was placed with adoptive parents.
‘The county council, as part of the Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership, has recommended that a full independent safeguarding review is carried out.
‘A police investigation is also ongoing, and so we are unable to make any further comment at this stage.’
The county council has since recommended to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel that an independent investigation should be launched – previously called a Serious Case Review.
Police received a report from North West Ambulance Service on January 6 this year regarding the incident at a property in Cumbria. Pictured: Cumbria County Council
Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime and Safeguarding at Cumbria Constabulary, said: ‘Two people have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the tragic death of a one-year-old boy in Barrow.
‘On 6th January, police received a report from NWAS regarding an incident at a property in Barrow.
‘The child was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital from Furness General Hospital for specialist medical care due to his critical condition.
‘Sadly, the young boy passed away on the afternoon of the 7th January.
‘An investigation is underway by a dedicated team of detectives and other specialists in order to establish the full circumstances of the death in full consultation with the Coroner.
‘A 37-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, both from Barrow, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, causing and allowing the death of a child, two counts of assault/ill treatment/neglect/abandon a child/young person to cause unnecessary injury.
‘Both have since been released on police bail, whilst detectives investigate the full circumstances.’