A MAN and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a baby in Barrow, police said.

The one-year-baby boy was living with adoptive parents when he died and was still under the care of Cumbria County Council.

The council have referred themselves for an independent review.

On January 6, police received a report from NWAS regarding an incident at a property in Barrow.

The child was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital from Furness General Hospital for specialist medical care due to his critical condition.

Sadly, the young boy passed away on the afternoon of the January 7.

John Readman, Executive Director of People at Cumbria County Council, said: “This is a deeply distressing case and our thoughts are with the little boy’s family.

"We can confirm that he was looked after by the Local Authority and at the time of his death was placed with adoptive parents.

"The county council, as part of the Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership, has recommended that a full independent safeguarding review is carried out.

"A police investigation is also ongoing, and so we are unable to make any further comment at this stage.”

At the time of his death the baby was placed with adoptive parents, but a final adoption order had not yet been granted by the court.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime and Safeguarding at Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Two people have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the tragic death of a one-year-old boy in Barrow.

“On 6th January, police received a report from NWAS regarding an incident at a property in Barrow.

"The child was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital from Furness General Hospital for specialist medical care due to his critical condition. Sadly, the young boy passed away on the afternoon of the 7th January.

“An investigation is underway by a dedicated team of detectives and other specialists in order to establish the full circumstances of the death in full consultation with the Coroner.  

“A 37-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, both from Barrow, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, causing and allowing the death of a child, two counts of assault/ill treatment/neglect/abandon a child/young person to cause unnecessary injury.

“Both have since been released on police bail, whilst detectives investigate the full circumstances.”

It is a requirement of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 that a child lives with their adoptive parents for a period before an application for an adoption order can be made.

When a child is placed with adopters they assume Parental Responsibility, but the child also remains ‘looked after’ by the Local Authority until an adoption order is granted.