Two men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of a three-month-old child.
The baby, who was camping with family in Great Wyrley, went into cardiac arrest on land off Strawberry Lane, in Staffordshire at around 8.45am on Saturday and was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time after.
In the latest announcement police confirmed that 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 have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
All four people have since been bailed with conditions.
Officers cordoned off a fishing lake in the Wyrley and Essington Branch Canal Local Nature Reserve over the weekend and remain there today.
One witness said she directed paramedics towards the area around the fishing lake.
Drone images from the scene show at least four tents and camping chairs positioned next to each other, close to fishing platforms.
A tent was set up in a wooded area near a pond off Strawberry Lane, near the village of Great Wyrley in Staffordshire
Officers and an air ambulance attended the scene following reports that a child had entered cardiac arrest at around 8.45am on Saturday
Today the police cordon had been lifted at the scene where the family were camping and floral tributes to the baby girl had been rested at the foot of a nearby tree.
The flowers and a toy bunny rabbit appear to have been left by relatives, with one attached note saying: ‘Baby girl, I’ll look for the brightest star in the night sky. Nanna loves you.’
Police appeared to have removed the tent where the family were staying , but just feet away the burnt-out husk of another tent – apparently pitched overnight – had been abandoned alongside a pile of litter.
One local who regularly cycles through the area told the Mail that he believed some people had been camping by the fishing lake for several days.
The grass below where a tent had been pitched appeared to be faded, suggesting it had been covered for some time.
Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from our child protection team, said: ‘I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern.
‘While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident.
‘All four people were arrested at the scene of the incident and have been released on bail.
‘While we fully understand that speculation into the nature of this incident is likely to take place, we’d ask people to follow this page for factual, accurate updates as our investigation unfolds and to avoid sharing unconfirmed and speculative claims online.’
Previously Robert Duncan, district councillor for Cheslyn Hay, said: ‘I know how deeply upsetting news like this is for our community.
‘It’s important that we allow the emergency services the space they need to complete their work with dignity and care.
‘As soon as the full and confirmed details are formally shared with me, I will provide a further update to residents.
‘Until then, please avoid speculation and allow the family and responders the privacy and respect they deserve.’
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