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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah

Murder arrest after 18-day-old baby falls from central London property

Forensic investigators inspecting a half-open window
Forensic investigators at the window of a property in Westminster, central London, where an 18-day-old baby girl died after falling from a height. Photograph: Lucy North/PA

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 18-day-old baby girl fell from a property in central London.

The Metropolitan police said officers attended Horseferry Road in Westminster after reports on Saturday morning that a baby had fallen from a residential property.

The newborn was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead.

A 43-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody, the force added.

Met DCI Alison Foxwell said: “Our thoughts today are with the baby’s family.

“The death of an infant is always an extremely tragic occurrence, and officers are making urgent inquiries around the circumstances.

“At this stage, we believe the incident occurred within a domestic context, but we are appealing for anybody with information to come forward.”

A spokesperson for the London ambulance service said the baby was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre.

A police cordon covered most of Great Peter Street on Saturday evening and two forensics officers could be seen working in a third floor flat in the Peabody Estate.

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