A murder investigation has been launched by Cambridgeshire Police following the tragic death of a three-month-old boy who sustained a severe head injury. The infant, identified as Atijus Elertaite, was discovered in a life-threatening condition at a property in the town of March.
Timeline of Events and Police Response
Officers were called to an address on St John's Chase in March shortly after 11am on Wednesday, January 3. Atijus Elertaite was rushed to hospital with critical injuries but sadly passed away five days later on Monday, January 8.
A post-mortem examination has preliminarily determined the cause of death as a head injury, though further medical inquiries are pending to confirm the full circumstances.
Arrests and Ongoing Custody
Prior to the infant's death, a 25-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, both residents of March, were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH). Following Atijus's passing, the pair were re-arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday and remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann of Cambridgeshire Police addressed the community, 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 importance of the investigation, adding: '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.'
Appeal for Information
Police are urging anyone with information that could assist the inquiry to come forward. Individuals can contact the police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 124 of January 3. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community in March, with authorities working diligently to piece together the events leading to this heartbreaking incident. The investigation remains active, with officers focused on gathering evidence and supporting those impacted by the loss.
