The parents of a baby cared for by convicted serial killer nurse Lucy Letby have described her as an 'angel' who 'saved their child twice'. Clare and Carl, whose daughter Jessica was born at the Countess of Chester Hospital a decade ago while Letby worked there, maintain that Letby would never harm a baby.
Letby, Britain's most prolific child killer, received 14 whole-life orders in 2024 for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the hospital's neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. Despite these convictions, the couple insists Letby saved their daughter's life on two occasions when she struggled to breathe.
Parents Speak Out on Podcast
Appearing on a podcast hosted by Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully convicted and later cleared of murder, Carl recalled how Letby brought Jessica to their ward room. 'Lucy Letby was the one who brought Jessica up to our room in the ward when she was free out of the NICU to come up and sit with us,' he said. 'She delivered her to us and that was a very short, quick interaction as well. She's just, “Here's your baby”, kind of thing. “She's all yours”.'
Carl described Letby as part of one of the 'best moments of his life' and said the couple now experiences survivors' guilt because their child survived while others did not. He accused the hospital of scapegoating an individual for institutional failures. 'I'd say I'm over 90% sure that they've blamed bad management and bad procedures and badly run units on one individual,' he said. 'They've seen an opportunity to scapegoat somebody.'
Appeal Efforts Underway
Letby has sought permission to appeal her convictions. She first applied in September 2023 but was refused. In February 2025, an application was made to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on her behalf. The CCRC stated in February 2026 that 'additional material has been sent to us' and that 'a review of Ms Letby's convictions is underway.' The commission emphasised that it does not determine innocence or guilt but investigates potential miscarriages of justice.
Letby remains at HMP Low Newton in Brasside, County Durham. Metro has contacted the Countess of Chester Hospital for comment.
