Family pay tribute to ‘murdered’ two-week-old baby girl who was ‘gorgeous, brave and melted hearts’ - as suspected killer, 24, is released on bail
The family of a two-week-old baby who is thought to have been murdered have paid tribute to the 'beautiful and brave' girl as her suspected killer remains on police bail.
Felicity-May Harvey, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, was rushed to hospital last Friday, prompting a call to police amid concerns for her welfare.
Following her death on Monday, Greater Manchester Police opened a murder investigation and arrested a 24-year-old man. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
Officers were outside a property in Heywood, Rochdale, earlier this week as they investigated Felicity-May's death.
Felicity-May Harvey's family have paid tribute to their 'beautiful and incredibly brave' baby girl, who died at hospital on Monday. She was just two-weeks-old
Paying tribute, the infant's family said: 'Our hearts are broken after losing our precious baby girl, Felicity-May. She was a gorgeous baby and always so alert, looking around with her big blue eyes.
'She was absolutely beautiful and incredibly brave and she melted the hearts of everyone who met her. What made her extra special was her cleft lip and palate, and despite the challenges of this she was the most happy and content little girl.
'She was and always will be loved by her mum, sisters and family and there is a huge void in all our hearts and lives now that she has been taken from us.
Police were outside a property in Heywood, Rochdale, earlier this week, following the death of Felicity-May on Monday
A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed pending further inquiries. Felicity May's family described her as their 'special star'
'She was our special star, and it is not fair that she shone brightly for only a short time. When we look up at the sky, we will look through the clouds and know that the brightest star shining is our Felicity-May.
'Rest in peace baby girl. Sleep tight. Until we meet again, our precious angel.'
Earlier this week police asked for anyone with information regarding her death to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: 'This is a desperately sad incident where a baby girl has lost her life and we are doing what we can to support her loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
'Our investigation is ongoing; as always, we are keeping an open mind and have specialist officers working at the scene and on the investigation to establish the full facts of this case.
Police were first called amid concerns for Felicity May's welfare last Friday and launched a murder investigation following her death on Monday
'This is a heart-breaking time and we ask the public to refrain from speculation and respect the family's privacy at this time.
'Anyone with information should do the right thing and contact us with information so we can continue to try and ascertain the circumstances behind this tragedy.'
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3400 quoting incident 1896 of 08/01/2021. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.