Lucy Letby was charged with murdering the eight babies and attempting to kill another six. Photo / Supplied
Lucy Letby was charged with murdering the eight babies and attempting to kill another six. Photo / Supplied
A second hospital is now investigating the nurse who police allege is linked to the deaths of at least eight babies.
Lucy Letby was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murdering the babies and attempting to kill another six infants. A further three baby deaths were being investigated.
Letby has been arrested over the deaths of eight babies in a case that has shocked Britain. Photo / via Facebook
The 28-year-oldwas a celebrated member of the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital where a large number of suspicious deaths of infants occurred.
Police activity at the house of Lucy Letby in Chester, England. Photo / AP
Letby's arrest stunned colleagues because she is regarded as a "champion for children" she cares for — and helped a massive fundraising campaign to build a new $5 million baby unit at the hospital and has repeatedly spoken about her devotion to her profession since she graduated in 2011.
Letby worked at Liverpool Women's Hospital during her training and health bosses there are now "co-operating with police" as part of their murder investigation.
A spokeswoman said there was "currently" no suggestion any patient had come to harm during Letby's placement.
A conviction for eight murders would make Letby Britain's worst child killer. She is yet to be charged with any offences.
Officers were searching the three-bedroom unit Letby lives in Chester, in northwest England, 2.5km from the Countess of Chester Hospital.
"I qualified as a children's nurse from the University of Chester in 2011 and have been working on the unit since graduating," she said.
"I also worked on the unit as a student nurse during my three years of training. My role involves caring for a wide range of babies requiring various levels of support.
"Some are here for a few days, others for many months and I enjoy seeing them progress and supporting their families."
Detectives were called to the hospital when a report revealed an alarmingly high number of deaths at the neonatal unit.
Letby's arrest has shocked her colleagues. Photo / Supplied
Staff had noticed a "sudden mottling" on the arms, legs and chests of premature or ill babies who unexpectedly deteriorated and had to be revived, and noted similar things happening with babies who died.
Police have been working on the case for over a year.
In the local paper when she graduated in 2011 with Honours in child nursing, her parents said: "We are so proud of you after all your hard work. Love Mum and Dad."
The Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, England, where Lucy Letby worked. Photo / AP
Cheshire Detective Inspector Paul Hughes said: "Since the start of our inquiries and, as the information gathering process has continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened.
"We are now investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses between the period of March 2015 and July 2016.
"Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers."
