Six women have been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of a one-year-old boy at a nursery.

West Midlands Police said a criminal investigation was launched after the toddler died at Fairytales Day Nursery, in Bourne Street, Dudley, on 9 December last year.

The nursery was closed by Ofsted along with other linked premises on 14 December after the watchdog said “children may be at risk of harm” and suspended its registration.

The force said three women aged 20, 23 and 50 were arrested on 16 December on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and later bailed.

Three more women aged 51, 53 and 37 were detained yesterday – two on suspicion of corporate manslaughter and one on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

In a statement, police said: “We are treating the death of a one-year-old boy on December 9, at a Dudley nursery as suspicious and an investigation is underway.”

The force added: “The boy’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.

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“A post-mortem has taken place but further tests will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.”

Two ambulances, trauma doctor and air ambulance sent to scene

West Midlands Ambulance Service said medics were called to premises in Bourne Street at 3.19pm and two ambulances, a trauma doctor and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.

“On arrival crews found a child in a critical condition,” the ambulance service said. “Medics commenced advanced life support which continued en route to Russells Hall Hospital (Dudley) by ambulance.”

However, the youngster died despite the efforts of medical personnel.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on individual providers and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the circumstances surrounding this child’s tragic death while a police investigation is underway.

“However, we suspended this nursery’s registration on December 14, because we believed children may be at risk of harm.

“Inspectors visited the nursery the following day and issued a welfare requirements notice, setting out a range of actions the nursery must take to make sure children are safe.

“We are supporting the police with their ongoing investigation.”

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