Cambridgeshire Police Launch Murder Inquiry Following Tragic Death of Infant
Police in Cambridgeshire have initiated a murder investigation after a three-month-old baby boy succumbed to a severe head injury. The infant, identified as Atijus Elertaite, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition and tragically passed away five days later.
Incident Details and Police Response
Officers from Cambridgeshire Police were called to a property in the town of March on January 3, responding to a report that led them to St John's Chase shortly after 11am. Atijus was rushed to hospital in critical condition following the incident. He died on January 8, with a post-mortem examination indicating a head injury as the preliminary cause of death, though further medical investigations are pending.
The force has confirmed that a 25-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, both residents of March, were initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) prior to the baby's death. Following Atijus' passing, both individuals were re-arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.
Community Impact and Police Appeal
Detective Inspector Verity McCann expressed the profound impact of this tragedy, stating: "We know the local community will be shocked and deeply saddened, and our thoughts remain with those affected by Atijus' death." She emphasised the ongoing efforts to ascertain the full circumstances, urging the public to refrain from speculation, particularly on social media, to avoid compromising the investigation.
Authorities are appealing for any information that could assist with the inquiry. Individuals are encouraged to call 101 and reference incident 124 of January 3, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
