Woman and teen boy re-arrested on suspicion of murder after death of Derbyshire baby

A woman and a teenage boy have been re-arrested of suspicion of murder, neglect, and causing or allowing the death of a child, Derbyshire police have confirmed.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Officers were called to an address in Acorn Drive, Belper, just before 10.50pm on January 2 following a report that a baby was in cardiac arrest.

The baby, four-month-old Elijah Shemwell, was taken to hospital by ambulance but sadly died on January 5.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A 21-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy were initially arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident and released on police bail.

Derbyshire police at Acorn Drive, Belper, earlier this month after the death of a baby.Derbyshire police at Acorn Drive, Belper, earlier this month after the death of a baby.
Derbyshire police at Acorn Drive, Belper, earlier this month after the death of a baby.

On Monday night, a Derbyshire Constabulary spokesperson told the Derbyshire Times: “The 21-year-old woman and the 16-year-old boy, who were previously arrested on suspicion of assault, have now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, neglect, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

“They have been bailed, whilst enquiries continue.”

An inquest hearing earlier this month was told Elijah died of a ‘head injury’.