Multi-agency investigation starts after child falls critically ill at Oldham nursery

We are conducting an investigation with support from partners at Oldham Council and Ofsted relating to a suspected incident at a nursery on Main Road in Oldham after a child became critically ill last week.

A woman in her 30s has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and child cruelty.

She has since been interviewed before being released on bail with strict conditions.

We were initially called by colleagues at NWAS at 3.45pm on 21 September to a report that a seven-month-old girl was critically ill and being taken from the nursery to hospital – where she remains in a serious but thankfully stable condition.

The child’s parents are being kept updated and are being supported by our investigation team at this distressing time.

Extensive enquiries continue to be conducted to establish the circumstances of how the child’s condition deteriorated.

We currently believe this is an isolated incident and detectives from our Oldham Child Protection Unit are working closely with all necessary partners as part of this ongoing investigation.

Criminal proceedings are active and we therefore urge people to refrain from speculation and commentary online.

Anyone with any concerns can contact us on 0161 856 8851 quoting incident 2285 of 21/09/2022.