Staffordshire Police have condemned as “incredibly damaging” false online claims that four people arrested over the death of a baby near Great Wyrley were migrants.
Officers were called to land off Strawberry Lane near Great Wyrley at 8.45am on Saturday by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service, who were responding to a report of a baby in cardiac arrest. An air ambulance was also sent to the scene, but paramedics pronounced the child dead, said Staffordshire Police.
Arrests and bail
A man, 42, and a woman, 30, from south Staffordshire, along with a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed with conditions while inquiries continue.
Now the police have been forced to give an update over “disinformation” that the people arrested were migrants.
Police statement on disinformation
A statement said: “We're aware of disinformation circulating online suggesting the four people arrested in connection with the tragic death of a baby in Great Wyrley are migrants. This is completely false.”
“This type of information can be incredibly damaging to an ongoing investigation and can directly impact on our ability to gather evidence and secure outcomes.”
“We’re urging people to think about the source of information online and to avoid sharing speculative claims that can damage our ability to investigate an incredibly sensitive incident and can cause significant distress to the family.”
“We completely understand and accept people are concerned about this incident and are naturally going to search for further information.”
“We cannot, however, accept false claims that are purposely shared online with the intention of misleading the public. All four of those arrested at the scene remain on conditional police bail while our investigation continues. We will continue to provide updates on this page when we are able to do so.”
Family statement
The family of the girl who died said that the incident happened during “night fishing” at a pond. As per a statement released via Chase TV they said: “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.”
It continued: “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.”
