Cambridgeshire Police Launch Murder Investigation Following Death of Three-Month-Old Infant
Cambridgeshire Police have formally launched a murder inquiry following the tragic death of a three-month-old baby boy in the town of March. The infant, identified as Atijus Elertaite, was discovered in a life-threatening condition at a residential property on St John's Chase on Saturday 3 January.
Timeline of Events and Medical Details
Police officers arrived at the scene just after 11am on 3 January, responding to concerns about the child's welfare. Atijus was immediately transported to Peterborough City Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to the specialist facilities at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Tragically, despite medical intervention, the baby succumbed to his injuries five days later on 8 January. A post-mortem examination has established that the preliminary cause of death was a head injury, though further medical investigation is required to determine the full circumstances.
Arrests and Bail Conditions
Prior to the infant's passing, authorities had already taken two individuals into custody. A 25-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, both residents of March, were initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
Following the baby's death and the preliminary post-mortem findings, both suspects were re-arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder. They were held in police custody before being released on bail with conditions requiring them to return on 22 April while the investigation continues.
Police Appeal and Community Impact
Detective Inspector Verity McCann, leading the investigation, expressed the profound impact this case has had on the local community. "We know the local community will be shocked and deeply saddened, and our thoughts remain with those affected by Atijus' death," she stated.
McCann emphasised the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed without interference, urging the public to avoid speculation, particularly on social media platforms. "We are working hard to establish exactly what happened and urge everyone to be mindful and not speculate on the case, particularly on social media, as this could affect our investigation," she added.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Assistance
The police force has confirmed that inquiries are ongoing to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the infant's fatal injuries. Officers are actively appealing to the public for any information that might assist their investigation.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Cambridgeshire Police through their official website, by calling the non-emergency number 101, or speaking anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. All information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove crucial to the investigation.
