Birmingham Children’s hospital death: what happened as nurse, 27, arrested over allegedly poisoning child?

Both the police and hospital trust have released statements about the incident
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A woman has been arrested following the death of an infant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

West Midlands Police made the arrest on the same day that the infant was found to have passed away.

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Here is the latest on the incident, including the latest statements from West Midlands Police and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

When was the infant found dead?

The infant was found dead at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Thursday, 19 May.

Has anyone been arrested?

A 27 year-old nurse has been arrested by West Midlands Police on suspicion of administering poison with intent to endanger life.

The arrest was made at a property in the West Midlands area on 19 May, just hours after the infant was discovered to be dead.

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Police added that the woman has since been released whilst the investigation continues.

What have the police said following the arrest?

West Midlands Police issued a statement following the arrest of the woman.

On Monday, 23 May, a West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We’ve arrested a 27 year-old woman in connection with the death of an infant.

“The child sadly passed away on Thursday (19 May) at hospital.

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“The woman was arrested on Thursday evening at a property in the West Midlands area on suspicion of administering poison with intent to endanger life.

“She has been released while the investigation continues and the results of forensic tests are examined.

“The family of the child are being supported by specially-trained officers.”

Has the Hospital Trust issued a statement?

The Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust asked West Midlands Police to look into the incident.

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Within their statement, the Trust gave an update on the incident and said they have asked the police to examine what has happened in line with their own safeguarding policy.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: “Following the death of an infant at our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, we have asked West Midlands Police to examine what has happened, in line with our own safeguarding policy.”

The spokesperson added that the member of staff has been suspended and has asked the privacy of the infant’s family be respected during the process of the investigation.

They said: “The staff member involved has been suspended by the trust after following the national process on the sudden unexpected death of a child.

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“We are supporting the infant’s family at this distressing time and ask that privacy is respected during this process.”

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