Police Continue Investigation into Two Baby Deaths Linked to Letby Case
The inquiry into Lucy Letby’s crimes reveals ongoing police investigations into two baby deaths
Chester, UK, Lucy Letby, Baby Deaths, Public Inquiry
Chester: The police are still looking into two baby deaths tied to the hospital where Lucy Letby worked. This came up during the public inquiry into her actions.
According to a document from the Thirlwall Inquiry, there were 13 deaths at the Countess of Chester’s neonatal unit from 2015 to 2016. Four more babies died after being moved to other hospitals.
While Cheshire Constabulary has looked into all 17 deaths, the inquiry revealed that two of them are still under investigation. They could have happened at the Countess of Chester or after the babies were transferred.
Cheshire Constabulary didn’t have any comments to share. Last month, it was reported that Letby, now 35, was questioned in prison about these deaths and other incidents at both the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where she trained.
The police are reviewing the care of around 4,000 babies who were admitted from when Letby started in January 2012 until June 2016. This includes her placements in Liverpool.
They’ve made it clear that only cases that seem medically concerning will be looked into further. Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.
One of her attempted murder victims, Child K, died days after Letby tampered with her breathing tube, but prosecutors said she didn’t cause that death.
The other nine babies who died during that time, which weren’t part of Letby’s trials, are included in the inquiry’s overview document. Some of these deaths were linked to congenital conditions.
After Letby’s convictions, police stated that some of the 17 deaths were no longer being investigated because a natural cause was found.
The inquiry also noted that three babies died at the Countess of Chester’s neonatal unit in 2012, with more deaths occurring in the following years.
Letby, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life sentences after being convicted of seven murders and eight attempted murders. The public inquiry, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is wrapping up its final week of evidence at Liverpool Town Hall, with findings expected this autumn.