A British nurse has been arrested for the third time in connection to the deaths of more than a dozen babies, according to local authorities.
The woman, understood to be Lucy Letby, was arrested in relation to the deaths on Tuesday (local time) for the third consecutive year.
In May 2017, an investigation was launched into the deaths of 15 infants at a neonatal unit in the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. The probe was later expanded to include two additional deaths and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.
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 hospital, according to a statement by Cheshire Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes, the officer leading the investigation.
While awaiting further inquiries, the healthcare worker was released on bail.
Almost a year later in June 2019, the woman was re-arrested on the suspicion of the same charges, and in relation to the attempted murder of three additional babies. She was again released on bail pending further inquiries.
"Today, as part of our ongoing inquiries, the healthcare professional has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of nine babies," DCI Hughes said in the statement, as published by the Associated Press.
"The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their inquiries."
In an interview with the Chester and District Standard newspaper seven years ago, the nurse said she cared for babies requiring various levels of support, the Telegraph reports.
Letby, who had worked at the unit as a student nurse for three years, qualified as a children's nurse at the University of Chester in 2011, and started working at the unit following her graduation.
Hughes added that the parents impacted by the case have been kept fully updated with this latest development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.
"This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children," he said.
"Due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging, but it is important to remember that, despite the passage of time, it is very much active and ongoing.
"There are no set timescales and we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation."
