A safeguarding investigation has been initiated into the care of a 30-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdon. The boy suffered serious injuries after being attacked by at least one crocodile and has undergone five surgeries. His family reports he will need at least two more operations, including a nerve reconstruction in his arm. The boy remains at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in a stable condition.
Zoo co-owner Tracey Johnson reportedly jumped into the enclosure to rescue the child. Police were called at 1:24 PM by the ambulance service.
Suspect and Legal Proceedings
The suspect, a man from Norfolk, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers at the time of the incident. Police later bailed him after assessing him as not fit for interview.
Section 42 Inquiry
Norfolk County Council has launched a Section 42 inquiry under the Care Act 2014. Such an inquiry is required when a council believes an adult in its area has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves. A council spokesperson confirmed: "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."
Family's Response
The boy's parents have been living at the hospital since the incident. On a GoFundMe page, they expressed gratitude: "We are extremely grateful for everyone's generosity. We could never thank you enough for the support you have given our family in this horrible time. These last two weeks have been a very uncertain and unsettling time. This uncertainty remains as we still don't know the extent of his feeling, movement and function in both of his arms, wrists and hand."
