The family of a three-month-old baby girl who died during a camping trip have said the tragedy unfolded after children and parents joined her grandfather for an overnight fishing visit at a pond.
In a statement, relatives appealed for an end to public speculation over the “traumatic” death in Staffordshire, where two men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of murder, saying they “don’t even know the details or circumstances ourselves”.
The infant, who had been camping with family in Great Wyrley, suffered a cardiac arrest at about 8.45am on Saturday and was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.
Speaking to Chase TV, the family said: “We as a family appreciate the community concerns and well wishes for this tragic event that happened where the children and parents joined grandad for a night fishing at the pond.
“As everyone can understand it is a traumatic time for everyone involved and we would ask for some privacy at this difficult time without speculation while Staffordshire Police do their job, as we as a family don’t even know the details or circumstances ourselves.”
Earlier today, a woman who said she was the baby’s grandmother returned to the scene with two relatives and said the infant and her parents had spent only one night in the tent.
She said the family had gone to join the child’s grandfather, who had already been camping in the area for several nights.
A police cordon around the site was lifted today, allowing devastated relatives to place floral tributes and a toy bunny rabbit at the base of a nearby tree.
A tent was set up in a wooded area near a pond off Strawberry Lane, near the village of Great Wyrley in Staffordshire
Officers and an air ambulance were called following reports that a child had gone into cardiac arrest at around 8.45am on Saturday
One attached note read: ‘Baby girl, I’ll look for the brightest star in the night sky. Nanna loves you.’
Another tribute said: ‘RIP little girl xxxxx Love S/C xxx.’
Staffordshire Police initially treated the death as ‘unexplained’ but confirmed earlier that a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman from south Staffordshire, a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall have been arrested.
The suspects have since been bailed with conditions while inquiries continue, the force said.
Over the weekend, a fishing lake in the Wyrley and Essington canal nature reserve was cordoned off and investigators remained there today.
Drone images from the scene showed at least four tents and camping chairs positioned next to each other, close to fishing platforms, although the area is not considered an official camping site.
Police appeared to have removed the tent where the family were staying, but just feet away the burnt-out husk of another tent – apparently pitched overnight – had been abandoned alongside a pile of litter.
One witness said she had directed paramedics towards the area over the weekend. Another local, who regularly cycles through the area, told Our News Outlet that he believed some people had been camping by the fishing lake for several days.
The grass below where a tent had been pitched appeared to be faded, suggesting it had been covered for some time.
Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from Staffordshire Police’s child protection team, said: ‘I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern.
‘While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident.
‘All four people were arrested at the scene of the incident and have been released on bail.
‘While we fully understand that speculation into the nature of this incident is likely to take place, we’d ask people to follow this page for factual, accurate updates as our investigation unfolds and to avoid sharing unconfirmed and speculative claims online.’
Previously Robert Duncan, district councillor for Cheslyn Hay, said: ‘I know how deeply upsetting news like this is for our community.
‘It’s important that we allow the emergency services the space they need to complete their work with dignity and care.
‘As soon as the full and confirmed details are formally shared with me, I will provide a further update to residents.
‘Until then, please avoid speculation and allow the family and responders the privacy and respect they deserve.’
