LONDON — British law enforcement officials are currently questioning nurse Lucy Letby, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of seven infants, regarding additional cases involving other newborns.
Cheshire Police announced on Wednesday that Letby has been interviewed while incarcerated concerning the deaths of additional babies, as well as “non-fatal collapses” that occurred at both the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she was employed, and Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where she completed her nursing training.
The police stated that Letby was interviewed “under caution,” indicating that the session was recorded and may be utilized in potential future legal actions.
At 34 years old, Letby received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven others during her tenure as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, taking place in 2015 and 2016.
Prosecutors detailed how Letby harmed infants in discreet manners, which included injecting air into their veins, administering air or milk through nasogastric tubes, administering insulin to poison them, and tampering with their breathing apparatus.
Investigators are currently re-evaluating the treatment given to approximately 4,000 infants admitted to the hospital during Letby’s time as a neonatal nurse.
Letby, who has consistently maintained her innocence and testified that she never harmed a child, has attempted, without success, to challenge her convictions.
Various scientists and legal professionals have expressed doubts about certain elements of the circumstantial and statistical evidence presented during her trial, and advocates for Letby have called for a reassessment of her case.
A judge-led public inquiry is in progress, focusing on the hospital’s failure to identify the reasons behind the high infant mortality rate in the neonatal unit and to intervene sooner regarding Letby’s actions. It is important to note that this inquiry is not focused on examining the validity of Letby’s convictions.
Dr. Stephen Brearey, the lead pediatrician in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital, informed the inquiry last month that it is probable Letby may have harmed or killed additional infants prior to the death of her first identified victim, a premature twin boy referred to as Baby A, in June 2015.
Reflecting on the situation, he commented, “It is likely that Letby did not begin her pattern of violence in June 2015, nor did she start harming infants at that time.”
