In a deeply distressing incident, a five-month-old baby girl was found in a serious condition in Woodhouse Moor Park, Leeds, and later died in hospital. The mother of the infant has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.
The baby was discovered on Wednesday evening in an area of Woodhouse Moor Park. Following the discovery, she was urgently transported to the hospital for emergency treatment but tragically passed away a short time later.
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the force’s homicide team is leading the investigation. A section of the park, near a statue of Robert Peel by the entrance from Hyde Park Road, has been cordoned off for forensic examination. Social media footage has shown police tape marking the area of the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, leading the investigation, stated, “The death of a child in these circumstances is a very tragic incident and we are carrying out enquiries to get a complete picture of what has occurred.” The police are appealing to anyone who was in the park at the time and may have witnessed something or have information that could aid the investigation.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police provided details of the initial report, which came in at 5.44 PM on Wednesday, pinpointing the location in the park where the baby was found.
Woodhouse Moor is a significant green space in Leeds, located about a mile from the city centre. It is the second most visited park in the city, according to Leeds City Council, receiving around three million visits annually. The park, known for its five paths converging at the centre, also hosts a Parkrun every Saturday morning.
This tragic event has shocked the local community and the city of Leeds. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected as police continue to piece together the circumstances leading up to the infant’s death. The community’s thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking incident.
