Woman arrested over suspected suffocation death of child in Oldham

Woman is being questioned by police over suspicions that she suffocated a newborn baby

Oldham woman arrested on suspicion of suffocating an infant

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of a three-week-old child by suffocation.

Paramedics found the baby “unresponsive” when they arrived at Lychgate Court in Oldham in the early hours of Friday. The baby was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital but was confirmed dead a short time later.

Police have said that a 55-year-old woman is being questioned over suspicions that she caused the baby’s death by overlaying – a term used when a baby is suffocated by somebody who lies on them while in bed.

Detective Inspector Dave Moores said: “This is an absolutely tragic case in which a baby who is barely three weeks old has died. Any death of a baby is always extremely upsetting and keenly felt by family members and even the wider community.

“An investigation is under way and we are committed to identifying how and why this baby died. We also have officers supporting family members at what is clearly a very distressing time for them."

The arrested woman, who is understood to be related to the child, remains in custody.