Nurse rearrested on suspicion of killing eight babies
A CHILDREN'S nurse has been rearrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill nine more.
Lucy Letby was previously detained in 2018 and 2019 as part of an inquiry into deaths at a neonatal unit. Yesterday the 30-year-old was taken into custody and questioned as part of the same probe into deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Letby, who is originally from Hereford, worked in the hospital's neonatal unit.
Cheshire Police, when it launched its inquiry in May 2017, initially looked at 15 deaths of babies between June 2015 and June 2016.
The probe was later widened to include the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.
Letby is understood to have qualified as a children's nurse at the University of Chester in 2011. In a 2013 interview with a local newspaper, she said she was caring for babies requiring various levels of support.
After her previous arrests, her home in Chester was searched by police.
Detective Inspector Paul Hughes said: "Parents of all the babies have been kept fully updated and they are continuing to be supported by trained officers.
"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."
He urged people to avoid speculation online, describing it as unhelpful. "It could cause distress to the parents of the babies. It could also impact on the ongoing criminal case moving forward," he said.
Anyone with information can email operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.