A West Country man has been arrested for child neglect following the death of a baby in a caravan. The four-month old baby boy, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday, December 18, after paramedics were called to the village of Yealmpton, just outside Plymouth.
Emergency services were called at around 1.45pm that day, because of concerns for the welfare of the occupants of a caravan on the outskirts of Yealmpton. Devon and Cornwall police said that a four-month-old boy was found and treated by paramedics, but pronounced dead.
“His next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers,” a spokesperson said. “A 41-year-old man from Plymouth has been arrested for criminal offences including child neglect. He was taken into police custody then bailed pending further enquiries,” he added.
The police are now appealing for information that may assist their inquiries, and Det Insp Dave Egan confirmed that a criminal investigation is underway into the death of the baby.
“The death of a young baby is a devastating, and our thoughts are with his family at this awful time,” DI Egan said. “A criminal investigation has been launched following the death and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and how the death has occurred. I know that an incident of this nature will cause concern amongst the community, but I must ask that you do not speculate about this matter.”
- Anyone with information which may assist Devon and Cornwall police’s enquiries is asked to contact police on 101 or via their website quoting log 365 of 18 December.