The family of a three-month-old baby girl who died following an overnight camping expedition in Staffordshire woodland has issued a statement, describing the period as a 'traumatic time'. The statement comes after four people were arrested on suspicion of murder following the infant's death.
Arrests and bail
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson confirmed that a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both from south Staffordshire, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, alongside a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall. All four suspects have been released on bail while further inquiries continue.
Emergency services were called to reports of a three-month-old child in cardiac arrest in woodland in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, on Saturday morning, September 5. Despite the efforts of medics, the girl, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene near Strawberry Lane.
Family's plea for privacy
A statement, issued through Chase TV on the family's behalf, reads: "We as a family appreciate the community concerns and well wishes for this tragic event that happened where the children and parents joined grandad for a night fishing at the pond."
The statement went on: "As everyone can understand it is a traumatic time for everyone involved and we would ask for some privacy at this difficult time without speculation while Staffordshire Police do their job, as we as a family don't even know the details or circumstances ourselves."
Investigation continues
Officers attended the location at a fishing lake within the Wyrley and Essington canal nature reserve on Saturday. Aerial drone footage captured at the location revealed at least four tents and camping chairs positioned near fishing platforms. The area is not an official camping site.
The police cordon has since been lifted, enabling bereaved family members and friends to lay floral tributes and a toy bunny rabbit at the scene. One woman, who identified herself as the baby's grandmother, visited with two relatives and told reporters that the infant and her parents had only been staying in the tent for one night. She further revealed that the child's grandfather had been camping in the area for several nights prior, confirming the family had been visiting him when the tragedy occurred.
Staffordshire Police confirmed that officers were dispatched following calls from West Midlands Ambulance Service on Saturday morning regarding reports of a child in cardiac arrest. Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from the force's child protection team, stated that police are "working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident".
He said: "I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern. While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident."
Detective Inspector Lee added: "While we fully understand that speculation into the nature of this incident is likely to take place, we'd ask people to follow this page for factual, accurate updates as our investigation unfolds and to avoid sharing unconfirmed and speculative claims online."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman stated: "We were called to reports of a medical emergency near to Strawberry Lane at 8.39am on Saturday, two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a helicopter from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity attended the scene. On arrival we discovered one patient, a female child. Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite their best efforts it became apparent nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene."
