Baby horror
Reporter: BEATRIZ AYALA
Date published: 14 January 2010
Mum and boyfriend arrested after tot dies in suspicious circumstances
A WATERHEAD mum and her boyfriend have been arrested on suspicion of murdering her baby daughter.
Little Violet Mullen — just 15 months old — was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital after having a suspected heart attack shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday.
The tot (pictured), from Huddersfield Road, died a short time later.
Doctors are understood to have found suspicious injuries, including bruising to her head and body. They immediately alerted police. A post-mortem was held yesterday.
A 28-year-old man and 22-year-old woman — the mother of the baby — were arrested on suspicion of murder. They remain in police custody.
It is understood that the mum has other children who attend a near-by primary school. Her boyfriend is not the father.
A neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said: “The ambulance was outside their house on Tuesday night.
“I saw the paramedic rushing out carrying the little girl in her arms.
“Her head was floppy and the paramedic seemed to be in a bit of a flap.
“The mum was sobbing and crying, really distressed. The ambulance was always here, every month or two. I once asked the mum if her daughter was all right and she said she was.
“The little girl was always laughing and playing in the back yard. It is very sad.”
Another neighbour said she was shocked.
She added: “She is just a normal mum, very proud of her children.
“I’ve got a baby about the same age as the little girl — she was always asking about her.”
