A Section 42 inquiry has been launched into the care of a 30-year-old man arrested after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo and farm shop in Cambridgeshire on June 18.
Incident Details
The boy's parents said their son has undergone five surgeries after being attacked by at least one reptile and that they have been "living at the hospital." The boy remains in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in a "stable condition," according to Cambridgeshire Police.
The suspect, from Norfolk, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later bailed after being assessed as not fit for interview. He reportedly has learning difficulties and was on a trip with carers at the time of the incident.
Section 42 Inquiry
Norfolk County Council, which did not provide any care for the man, confirmed a Section 42 inquiry under the Care Act 2014 has begun. Such an inquiry is carried out when a council believes an adult in its area has care and support needs, is at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves.
A council spokesperson said: "The individual in question is not receiving any care provided, commissioned nor paid for by Norfolk County Council. We can confirm that a Section 42 inquiry is underway. We’re unable to comment further on an ongoing inquiry."
Rescue and Response
Police were called to the zoo at 1:24 pm on June 18 by the ambulance service. Tracey Johnson, the zoo's co-owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child. The zoo said in a social media post they were "alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures."
