West Midlands Police are treating the death of a one-year-old boy on 9 December at a Dudley nursery as suspicious and an investigation is under way.

The criminal investigation was launched following a visit by Ofsted after the boy’s death. The nursery, Fairytales Day Nursery in Bourne Street, Dudley, England, has been closed by Ofsted along with other linked premises.

The property’s gates were padlocked shut today, 5 January.

Three women – aged 20, 23 and 50 – were arrested on 16 December on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and subsequently released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.

A further three women – aged 51, 53 and 37 - were arrested on 4 January 2023; two were arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter and one on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The family of the baby boy is being supported by specially trained officers. A post mortem has taken place but further tests will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.