Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A baby has died in Crewkerne and a man and a woman have been arrested as Avon and Somerset Police investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s unexplained death.
Police were called to a residential property in the town by the ambulance service shortly before 2.45pm on Sunday, 16th August, after being informed that a young infant was critically ill.
Tragically, the baby was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police said the cause of the sudden death is being treated as unexplained following an initial forensic postmortem examination.
A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child.
The force stressed that the arrests do not represent a conclusion as to what happened. Police said the decision to arrest the pair was made so that both individuals had the opportunity to provide an account under caution, while in the presence of any legal representative they wished.
Both have since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. No charges have been brought.
Police said the investigation remains at a very early stage and appealed to members of the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said:
“We were called to a residential property in Crewkerne by the ambulance service shortly before 2.45pm on Sunday 16th August.
“They informed us there was a young infant who was critically ill.
“Tragically, the baby was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“At this stage we are treating the cause of this sudden death as unexplained following an initial forensic postmortem examination.
“A decision was made to arrest a man and a woman on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child, so both parties had the opportunity to provide us with an account under caution, while in the presence of any legal representative they wished.
“They have both been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
“Our investigation into what happened remains at a very early stage.
“We would politely ask people not to speculate around the circumstances because there is still a great deal of information we need to ascertain and review to further our understanding of what occurred.
“We appreciate news of this child’s death will cause great sadness, particularly in the local community, however we would like to reassure people we do not believe there is any wider risk to public safety.”
Police enquiries remain ongoing.
( Photo: Avon and Somerset Police 📸 )