Hereford nurse re-arrested by police investigating baby deaths

A nurse from Hereford has been re-arrested by police investigating the deaths of 17 babies at a hospital in Cheshire.

Lucy Letby, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder last year in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of another six at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neo-natal unit.

Letby, originally from Hereford, has been on bail since last July after her home in Chester was extensively searched by police.

Cheshire Police Detective Inspector Paul Hughes is leading the investigation into the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.

After her re-arrest today, Detective Inspector Hughes announced three more charges against Letby.

"As part of our ongoing investigation we have today (Monday 10 June) re-arrested the healthcare professional on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies," he said.

"She has also been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies."

The woman is currently in custody and is helping officers with their inquiries.

Detective Inspector Hughes added: "I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can as quickly as we can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses."

The force says it is "unable to go into any further details about the investigation" but will provide an update as soon possible.

Mr Hughes added: "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."

Letby had worked at the unit as a student nurse during three years of training before qualifying as a children's nurse at the University of Chester in 2011.

:: Cheshire Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch by emailing officers at operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

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