Police slam 'false claims' in baby murder probe

Police investigating the murder of a baby who was found dead while camping with her family have warned claims the suspects are migrants are "completely false".

The three-month-old girl died after emergency services were called to reports of a child in cardiac arrest in woodland off Strawberry Lane, near Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, at 08:45 BST on 5 September.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of murder and have since been released on conditional bail.

"We're aware of disinformation circulating online suggesting that the four people arrested in connection with the tragic death of a baby are migrants. This is completely false," a spokesman for Staffordshire Police said.

The force added: "This type of information can be incredibly damaging to an ongoing investigation and can directly impact on our ability to gather evidence and secure outcomes.

"We're urging people to think about the source of information online and to avoid sharing speculative claims that can damage our ability to investigate an incredibly sensitive incident and can cause significant distress to the family."

The suspects include a 42-year-old man and 30-year-old woman from South Staffordshire, a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall.

The scene of the tragedy was described as being "hidden away" from the main woodland in the Wyrley and Essington Branch Canal Local Nature Reserve.

It is not an official camping site, but locals said people would often fish in two nearby pools, while the nature trail is also popular with dog walkers and runners.

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