Investigation launched after death of one-year-old boy at a nursery in Dudley
Police say they are treating the death as suspicious.
Last updated 5th Jan 2023
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the death of a one-year-old boy at a Dudley nursery.
The criminal investigation was launched following an inspection by Ofsted, after the boy’s death on the 9th December.
The nursery, in Bourne Street, has been closed by Ofsted along with other linked premises.
Three women aged 20, 23 and 50 were arrested on 16 December on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and subsequently released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.
A further three women aged 51, 53 and 37 were arrested yesterday (4th January.) Two were arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter and one on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The family of the baby boy is being supported by specially trained officers.
A post mortem has taken place but further tests will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
An Ofsted spokesperson said: "We don't comment on individual providers and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the circumstances surrounding this child's tragic death while a police investigation is underway.
"However, we suspended this nursery's registration on December 14, because we believed children may be at risk of harm.
"Inspectors visited the nursery the following day and issued a welfare requirements notice, setting out a range of actions the nursery must take to make sure children are safe.
"We are supporting the police with their ongoing investigation."