Lucy Letby: Nurse re-arrested over baby deaths

Parents are being updated with latest developments, police said

Letby was previously arrested in 2018 (Chester Standard/SWNS)

A woman, understood to be children's nurse Lucy Letby, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder as part of an investigation into deaths of 17 babies at a Cheshire hospital.

Ms Letby was previously arrested in 2018 and 2019 in relation to the deaths in a neonatal unit at Countess of Chester hospital.

Following Tuesday’s arrest, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes of Cheshire Police said: “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 inquiries.

“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 inquiries, 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 inquiries."

Police confirmed parents of the babies were being kept updated with the latest developments.

Following her previous arrests, Ms Letby's home in the Blacon area of Chester was searched by police.

In a 2013 interview with the Chester and District Standard newspaper, Ms Letby said she had worked at Countess of Chester's neonatal unit as a student nurse and returned after qualifying as a children's nurse at the University of Chester in 2011.

DCI 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.

"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.

Anyone with information should contact the investigation team via email at operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or call police on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111

Additional reporting by Press Association