“It’s knocked me sick”: Darlington residents say they are “heartbroken” after an incident left a baby fighting for its life.
Police and paramedics were called to Waltham Close, in the Branksome area, on Monday (May 26) after a one-year-old tot suffered critical injuries.
The baby was rushed to the Darlington Memorial Hospital and then the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, for treatment for a fractured skull.
They remain in hospital in a critical condition.
Darlington's Amy Cave, 20, of Waltham Close, and Craig Neill, 25, of Yarm Road, have since both been charged with causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm. They have both been remanded in custody until their next court appearance.
Now, residents living near Waltham Close have spoken out on their heartbreak and worry - praying the baby will make a full recovery.
One 55-year-old woman said she heard police activity on Monday - but it wasn’t until Wednesday morning that she found out about the baby fighting for its life.
The mum-of-two, who has one son and one daughter, described the incident as “heart breaking” and a huge shock.
“It’s knocked me sick”, she explained. “To find that out today… it has upset me.”
The anonymous dog walker said she first heard of an incident around 1.45pm on Monday when she was on a nearby field with her pooch.
She explained: “I heard about four cars, and thought it was the police. I couldn't see from the field but heard the cars come up Rosedale Crescent.
“My son lives nearby and I rang and he said he can’t see any, the four had just shot up.
“He looked out of the window and heard them but couldn’t see them.
"I never gave it another thought - and then I found out in the last half hour as someone messaged me from work.
“I thought, oh my god. I have lived over the field all my life and we have never had anything like this around here, maybe further up, but it’s quite a nice area.
“I hope the baby is ok.”
Another witness described seeing police carrying out a small bag from a home, before investigators entered the property with cameras.
They added that police were going door-to-door asking residents for CCTV.
One 34-year-old, who is from Darlington and has lived on a nearby road for two and a half years, described the area as “usually really quiet”.
She said: “I saw a police van drive down Waltham Close last night at around 8pm and then saw a crime scene investigation van around the same time, I think it was leaving.
“I was trying to be a nosy neighbour - my partner said the police were here on Monday but I did not see them. All I saw were a couple of police vans.”
Another nearby resident said: “We had the police around yesterday at around teatime, they were asking for things on our cameras and stuff.
“But we didn’t have anything. I didn’t know what had happened at the time and I have only just found out. It’s awful, really awful. The poor bairn.
“I’ve lived here for 21 years and it’s really quiet.”
One 69-year-old man, who has lived in his Branksome home for 50 years, said he only found out when he saw the incident on the news.
The Darlington man explained: “My phone said three people had been arrested. I never heard anything.
“It’s quiet here, so it is a bit of a shock. Everyone keeps to their own around here - it is not like the old days!”
Duo appear in court
Cave and Neill both appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning (May 28) after being arrested and charged.
The short hearing detailed how 999 crews were called to Waltham Close after the youngster collapsed, and they were quickly rushed to hospital.
Both are accused of allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
Read more on this incident:
Cave was not asked to enter a plea to the charge and was remanded in custody until she appears at Teesside Crown Court on June 26 by District Judge Steven Hood.
Co-defendant Neill indicated a not guilty plea to a charge of causing a child to suffer serious physical harm, and was also remanded in custody until the same court date.
Police confirmed that a 24-year-old man who was initially arrested in connection has since been released on bail.
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