Baby Boy's Death: Mother Arrested In Oldham

Police are questioning a mother on suspicion of murdering her seven-week-old baby in Oldham.

The 23-year-old mother’s partner, a man aged 35, and the couple’s lodger, a 26-year-old man, have also been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The baby, named locally as Thomas Gacek, was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital with serious head injuries last Saturday.

Hospital staff contacted police and the child’s mother and her partner were originally arrested on suspicion of assault.

Following the baby’s death and the results of a postmortem examination they were re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

Along with their lodger they are also being questioned on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

All three remain in police custody.

Police say one line of inquiry they are examining is whether he was shaken to death.

Detectives are searching the house where the child lived in the Clarksfield area of Oldham.

The couple’s next door neighbour, who did not want to be named, told Sky News she was “shocked” to hear the news.

She said she understood the couple had only moved into the house in November and said they had put up balloons and banners when the baby was born.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the child’s father.

Detective Inspector Andy Cunliffe from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: “This is a tragic case in which a very young baby has lost his life.

“We are determined to find out exactly what the circumstances were that led to him suffering such injuries.

“News of the death of such a little boy will no doubt come as a great shock to people.

“And I would like to try to reassure the community as much as I can that we have a team of detectives dedicated to working on this investigation, and they will today be interviewing the three people in our custody.

“If anyone has any information at all that they believe may assist us with our enquiries, then please get in touch and tell us what you know.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team on 0161 856 1722 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Baby Boy's Death: Mother Arrested In Oldham