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Freckleton vicar and daughter held over newborn baby murder | Freckleton vicar and daughter held over newborn baby murder |
(about 1 month later) | |
A vicar and his daughter are being held on suspicion of murder after a baby's body was found at a Lancashire house. | A vicar and his daughter are being held on suspicion of murder after a baby's body was found at a Lancashire house. |
Police made the discovery after reports of a woman giving birth to a stillborn baby boy in Freckleton on 25 November. | Police made the discovery after reports of a woman giving birth to a stillborn baby boy in Freckleton on 25 November. |
The 28-year-old, named locally as Ruth Percival, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment and later released. | The 28-year-old, named locally as Ruth Percival, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment and later released. |
She was arrested on Tuesday with her father, Reverend James Percival, 64, of Holy Trinity Church in Freckleton. | She was arrested on Tuesday with her father, Reverend James Percival, 64, of Holy Trinity Church in Freckleton. |
'Bit of a shock' | |
The pair have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child. | The pair have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child. |
Police said they were no longer questioning them on suspicion of sexual offences. | Police said they were no longer questioning them on suspicion of sexual offences. |
A 65-year-old woman, said to be the vicar's wife Susan Percival, has also been arrested on conspiracy to conceal a birth. | A 65-year-old woman, said to be the vicar's wife Susan Percival, has also been arrested on conspiracy to conceal a birth. |
A neighbour said: "It's all a bit of a shock. They are a quiet family. We only know them to say hello. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant." | A neighbour said: "It's all a bit of a shock. They are a quiet family. We only know them to say hello. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant." |
It is understood police were granted an additional 30 hours to question the three. | It is understood police were granted an additional 30 hours to question the three. |
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said inquiries had led police to treat the baby's death as suspicious. | A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said inquiries had led police to treat the baby's death as suspicious. |
He said a post-mortem examination had taken place, but had proved inconclusive. | He said a post-mortem examination had taken place, but had proved inconclusive. |
Further tests to establish how the baby died will be carried out. | Further tests to establish how the baby died will be carried out. |
A spokesman for the Diocese of Blackburn said it was "offering pastoral support" to the church and the local community. | A spokesman for the Diocese of Blackburn said it was "offering pastoral support" to the church and the local community. |
Reverend Terry Scholz, from Holy Trinity Church, said the "church family" of parishioners would now pull together. | Reverend Terry Scholz, from Holy Trinity Church, said the "church family" of parishioners would now pull together. |