Cumbria: Couple arrested on suspicion of murder after death of baby they were adopting
Written by News on 13/02/2021
A couple have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a baby boy they were in the process of adopting died.
The one-year-old had been placed with his adoptive parents but was still under the care of Cumbria County Council.
John Readman, Executive Director of People at Cumbria County Council said: “This is a deeply distressing case and our thoughts are with the little boy’s family.
“The county council, as part of the Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership, has recommended that a full independent safeguarding review is carried out.”
It is understood that though the baby was living with his new parents a final adoption order had not yet been granted. A child must live with a prospective adoptive family for a time before such an order can be signed.
Cumbria Police said an ambulance was called to a property in Barrow-in-Furness on 6 January and the child was taken to Furness General Hospital. He died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital the next afternoon.
They said a 37-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and two counts of assault, ill treatment or neglect to cause unnecessary injury.
Both have been released on bail while detectives investigate.
(c) Sky News 2021: Cumbria: Couple arrested on suspicion of murder after death of baby they were adopting
