Skip to main content

Eight babies 'murdered' by children's nurse, 30, including two triplets who died a day apart are named for the first time as she appears in court after probe into neo-natal unit deaths

Eight babies 'murdered' by a children's nurse, including two of triplets who died one day apart, have been named for the first time as the 30-year-old appears in court after a probe into neo-natal heart and lung failure deaths. 

Lucy Letby today appeared in court charged with the murders of eight babies and the attempted murder of ten infants. She was charged last night following her arrest for the third time since 2018. 

The eight babies allegedly murdered by the nurse, who were all aged under one, were named in court today as; Cemlyn Bennett, Joseph Johnson, Elsie McNall, Barney Gee, Daisy Parkin, Maddie Freed, and two of triplets, Joseph Gelder and Eli Gelder, who died one day apart. 

Nine of the ten attempted murder victims - five girls and five boys, including another set of twins - cannot be named for legal reasons.  

The alleged offences all relate to a period between 2015 and 2016 and follow an investigation into baby deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit. 

Letby appeared via video link at Warrington Magistrates' Court, from Blacon Police Station in Chester where she is being held over the 18 charges, and spoke to confirm her name, age and address. 

The 30-year-old was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Chester Crown Court tomorrow.  

Families of the alleged victims were also watching the proceedings via a video link at remote locations. 

Letby had first been detained by Cheshire Police back in 2018 after a spike in the number of deaths at the hospital.

The Chester University graduate, who was once the face of a £3million fundraising campaign and had also worked at Liverpool Women's Hospital, was re-arrested over the same alleged offences in 2019 and again earlier this week.

Police had launched an investigation after the hospital raised concerns at the high number of deaths between March 2015 and July 2016 - which were said to be 10 per cent above average.

An internal inquiry was undertaken when medics found premature babies had died following heart and lung failure, but were unusually impossible to resuscitate. 

Lucy Letby, 30, was charged with eight counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder

Lucy Letby, 30, was charged with eight counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder

Today Letby appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court over the 18 charges and spoke to confirm her name, age and address

Today Letby appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court over the 18 charges and spoke to confirm her name, age and address

Letby appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court today over the 18 charges

Letby appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court today over the 18 charges

A police car outside the Women & Children's Building at the Countess of Chester hospital

A police car outside the Women & Children's Building at the Countess of Chester hospital

A house in Chester, which was twice investigated by police in 2018 and 2019 after nurse Lucy Letby was arrested

A house in Chester, which was twice investigated by police in 2018 and 2019 after nurse Lucy Letby was arrested

Lucy Letby's alleged victims 

The details of Lucy Letby's alleged victims were released by the court today.

These are the babies she is alleged to have murdered on the following dates:

Cemlyn Bennett, 8 June 2015

Joseph Johnson, Between 12 and 15 June 2015

Elsie McNall, 22 June 2015

Barney Gee, Between 2 and 5 August 2015

Daisy Parkin, Between 21 and 24 October 2015

Maddie Freed, 20 February 2016

Joseph Gelder, 23 June 2016

Eli Gelder, 24 June 2016

The 10 charges of attempted murder are each of potential victims under one year old, one count of which includes Maddie Freed, according to the court list. 

Pascal Jones, prosecuting, told the court this morning that in one of the murder cases there was an alternative charge of attempted murder 'because the child died some time after being taken away from the Countess of Chester Hospital'.  

The first baby allegedly murdered at the hands of Letby was Cemlyn Bennett, who died on June 8, 2015.  

Between June 8 and 11, Letby is accused of trying to kill another unnamed baby, before murdering Joseph Johnson between June 12 and 15.

She allegedly murdered baby Elsie McNall on June 22, the court heard.

Barney Gee died in August 2015.

Between September 6 and June 25, 2016, Letby is alleged to have attempted to kill another nine babies.  

She is charged with the attempted murder of Maddie Freed on February 17, and her murder on February 20, 2016.

Baby Daisy Parkin was murdered in October 2015, and brothers Joseph Gelder and his brother Eli died one day apart in 2016, on June 23 and 24 respectively, the court was told.  

Speaking after Letby was arrested earlier this week, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes from Cheshire Police said: 'It has been more than three years since we first launched an investigation into a number of baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital.

'In that time a dedicated team of detectives have been working extremely hard on this highly complex and very sensitive case doing everything they can as quickly as they can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.

Hospital baby deaths the four-year investigation in full 

JUNE 2015 to JULY 2016: 15 babies die on neonatal unit and six others suffer non-fatal collapses.

NOVEMBER 2016: RCPCH publishes report making 24 recommendations.  

FEBRUARY 2017: Senior doctors and nursing staff carry out a 'high level' review into neonatal deaths at the hospital.  

May 2017: Police open an investigation into the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal child incidents between March 2015 and July 2016.

JULY 2017: Bosses announce that babies born before 32 weeks will be cared for at neighbouring units as hospital closes its three intensive care cots  

July 2018: A healthcare professional is arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies.

June 2019: The same woman is re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies. She was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.

November 2020: Police confirm they have rearrested a healthcare worker again over the alleged offences and charged her with murder. 

'In July 2018, a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies at the neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital.

'She was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

'In June 2019, the healthcare professional was rearrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies.

'She was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.

'On November 10, as part of our ongoing enquiries, the healthcare professional has been rearrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of nine babies.' 

Police launched an investigation into infant deaths at the hospital in May 2017.

The investigation was later widened to the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.

The probe came after the hospital raised concerns at the high number of deaths between March 2015 and July 2016 - which was said to be 10 per cent higher than average.

Two babies had passed away at the site in 2013 but by 2015 it had quadrupled to eight.

An internal inquiry was undertaken when medics found premature babies had died following heart and lung failure but were unusually impossible to resuscitate.

A report also found that the infants had unusual blotches on their arms and legs after their deaths.

But a cause of death could not be established and police were asked to look into the case in 2017.

Following her previous arrests, Letby's £180,000 home in the Blacon area of Chester was searched by police, as was her parents' in Hereford.

Police were called in by the hospital in May 2017 after a 2016 report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health found staffing at the unit was inadequate.

Although the review could not find a reason for the increase in baby deaths between June 2015 and June 2016, it identified a string of concerns.

These included significant gaps in medical and nursing rotas, insufficient senior doctor cover, poor decision making and a reluctance by some staff to seek advice from colleagues.

Two babies died on the unit in 2013 and three in 2014, but mortality rates jumped to eight deaths in 2015 and by June 2016, five babies had already died that year. 

The increased mortality rate prompted the hospital to stop caring for babies born before 32 weeks and to close its three intensive care cots. 

A court artist sketch of Lucy Letby, next to her solicitor Richard Thomas, appearing via video link at Warrington Magistrates' Court this morning

A court artist sketch of Lucy Letby, next to her solicitor Richard Thomas, appearing via video link at Warrington Magistrates' Court this morning

The Chester University graduate (pictured), who was once the face of a £3million fundraising campaign and had also worked at Liverpool Women's Hospital, was re-arrested over the same alleged offences in 2019 and again earlier this week

The Chester University graduate , who was once the face of a £3million fundraising campaign and had also worked at Liverpool Women's Hospital, was re-arrested over the same alleged offences in 2019 and again earlier this week

Lucy Letby had qualified as a children's nurse at the University of Chester back in 2011

Lucy Letby had once been the face of an effort to raise £3million for the neonatal unit. The 30-year-old had qualified as a children's nurse at the University of Chester back in 2011

Letby, 30, had first been detained by Cheshire Police back in 2018 after a spike in the number of deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured)

Letby, 30, had first been detained by Cheshire Police back in 2018 after a spike in the number of deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital  

A house on Westbourne Road in Chester, which was twice under investigation in 2018 and 2019 after nurse Lucy Letby was arrested, is pictured in 2019

A house on Westbourne Road in Chester, which was twice under investigation in 2018 and 2019 after nurse Lucy Letby was arrested, is pictured in 2019

Number of babies who died at the facility 

Figures show the number of babies who died at the facility rose in 2015 and 2016.

2009 - 3

2010 - 1

2011 - 3

2012 - 3

2013 - 2

2014 - 3

2015 - 8

2016 - 5

Robyn Smith, of Slater and Gordon, representing two of the families, said: 'Our clients are relieved that we are one step closer to getting the answers they have long-since been waiting for. 

'We await the outcome of the criminal proceedings and will of course be supporting our clients through this traumatic process.' 

Interviewed in 2013, Miss Letby said she had worked at the neonatal unit since graduating as a children's nurse from the University of Chester two years previously.

Pictured holding a tiny sleepsuit in support of a local newspaper's fundraising appeal, she added: '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.

'I am currently undergoing extra training in order to develop and enhance my knowledge and skills within the intensive care area.'

In 2011, her parents, John and Susan, posted a message in their local newspaper along with a picture of their daughter proudly wearing her mortar board hat to congratulate her on graduating with honours.

One neighbour said their only child was 'a very career-driven person', describing her as 'so dedicated to her job'.

'Her parents have been my neighbours for at least 25 years, so I watched Lucy grow up,' she said.

'Lucy lives away but visits them frequently as any good daughter would. They adored her ... they'd just got back from a week-long holiday in Torquay.' 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o