Three-Month-Old Baby Dies Near Staffordshire Fishing Lake as Four Are Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

A three-month-old baby girl has died after being found in cardiac arrest at an unofficial campsite near a fishing lake in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, where four people were arrested on suspicion of murder, Staffordshire Police said.

Paramedics and an air ambulance were called to woodland off Strawberry Lane at about 8.45am on Saturday but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the three-month-old had been camping with family when the emergency unfolded. A 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman from south Staffordshire, a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall were detained at the scene and have since been bailed while inquiries continue.

Death Investigation Remains Open

Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from Staffordshire Police's child protection team, said officers were continuing to gather evidence about the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.

Police have not set out what they believe happened before emergency services were called, and no further explanation of the events leading up to the emergency has been made public.

Lee said investigators were 'keeping an open mind' as inquiries continued. In a statement, he also sought to reassure residents that officers were working 'around the clock' following an incident that had caused concern locally.

Police described the matter as an isolated incident and urged people not to circulate unconfirmed accounts online. Lee specifically asked members of the public not to share 'unconfirmed and speculative' claims while investigators establish the sequence of events.

West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics had been responding to a report of a baby in cardiac arrest when police were called to Strawberry Lane. An air ambulance was also sent to the scene, but the girl was pronounced dead there.

Staffordshire Police said officers were called to the scene by colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Campsite Was Near Staffordshire Fishing Pools

The area where the baby died was described as hidden from the main woodland in the Wyrley and Essington Branch Canal Local Nature Reserve. It is not an official campsite, although local people said the surrounding area is regularly used by anglers, dog walkers and runners.

Two nearby pools are used for fishing, while the nature trail is also popular with people exercising or walking dogs.

A police cordon remained in place around the scene near the fishing lake, where two tents had been pitched.

Officers were present in the area over the weekend to provide reassurance to residents while inquiries continued. A bunch of roses was left nearby in tribute to the girl.

Cheslyn Hay, a community of about 7,000 people, was described by local representatives as shocked by the death.

South Staffordshire councillor Robert Duncan said the community was devastated and asked residents to 'avoid speculation'. He also urged people to 'allow the family and responders the privacy and respect they deserve'.

Three-Month-Old Baby Death Prompts Calls Against Speculation

Religious and political figures in the area also issued statements after the baby's death. Rev Samantha Hagerman, superintendent of the Cannock Chase Methodist Church Circuit, said, 'Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and emergency services affected by the incident near Cheslyn Hay yesterday.'

Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, described the news as 'extremely distressing' and said it had caused concern in the area. He also asked people not to speculate and to allow police to carry out their investigation.

'I am extremely grateful to the emergency services and my thoughts are with the child's family at this incredibly upsetting time,' Williamson wrote on Facebook.

Staffordshire Police said the four people arrested remain on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Officers have not announced any further arrests or provided a public account of what happened before emergency services were called, leaving investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the baby girl's death.