Police in Dudley are treating the death of a one-year-old boy on 9 December at a Dudley nursery as suspicious and an investigation is under way.

The criminal investigation was launched following a visit by Ofsted after the boy’s death. The nursery, in Bourne Street, Dudley, has been closed by Ofsted along with other linked premises.

Three women – aged 20, 23 and 50 – were arrested on 16 December on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and subsequently released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.

A further three women – aged 51, 53 and 37 - were arrested on 4 January 2023; two were arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter and one on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The family of the baby boy is being supported by specially trained officers.

A post mortem has taken place but further tests will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.