Police to question teenager and toddler on death of 3-year-old
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.POLICE were last night waiting to question a teenager and a toddler about the death of a three-year-old boy found face down in a puddle.
A 15-year-old girl, described as having learning difficulties, and another three-year-old boy had been playing with Louis Wedge shortly before his body was found by a railway line three miles from his home in Maltby, South Yorkshire. Detectives believe Louis, who had superficial cuts and bruises, drowned, although the results of a post- mortem examination are not expected until later today. Tests, however, established that he had not been hit by a train. A child psychiatrist yesterday interviewed the girl, who was being looked after by social workers, to establish whether she is fit to be questioned by police over the death, which happened on Saturday, although details were only made public yesterday.
Louis's parents, Neil Wedge and Stephanie Jones, began searching with neighbours after he did not come in for his lunch. He had been helping his father build a fence in the garden.
The parents of the other two children, who live near Louis's home in the mining town, also became alarmed when they failed to return.
Police believe the children walked across country lanes and fields. They were contacted four hours after the youngster went missing.
A teacher out walking in the country recognised the teenager, who was with the three-year-old, both of whom looked muddy and dishevelled, and took them to the police. Information provided by the children led to police sending a helicopter to search for Louis.
He was found three miles from home lying in a seven-inch deep puddle under a farm bridge next to a single track railway line, near the village of Stainton. Attempts to revive him at the scene and at Rotherham district hospital failed.
Detective Superintendent Roger Vickers said: "We are going to interview the two children ... she's a child with some learning difficulties and the other child is just three years of age and that makes it very difficult." He said the girl had not been detained or arrested.
Yesterday Louis's parents were being comforted by the teenage girl's family.
Kay Hampson, a neighbour, said: "[Miss Jones] moved in just before Christmas with her boyfriend, Louis, and little girl Jessica, who is younger than Louis.
"She's a nice girl and Louis was a very quiet kid. Everyone here turned out to help look for him on Saturday. It's all terrible."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments