NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their shock after an 11-week-old baby died in suspicious circumstances.

Police said they were told the boy collapsed on Sunday after they were called to the family’s flat in Faringdon just before 3am on Monday.

The boy, who has not been named, died from his injuries on Tuesday night and a 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and bailed until February 2.

Flowers, toys and cards have been left by well-wishers outside the home in Untons Place while police officers are stationed in the street.

Our top stories

Police are treating the death as suspicious but said the investigation is being listed as a sudden unexplained death of an infant because they are “keeping an open mind”.

Alison and Michael Green live next door to the family – thought to be a couple, the baby and a seven-year-old girl – who they said only moved in two months ago.

Herald Series:

Alison and Michael Green, who live next door to where the baby died.

Mrs Green, 31, said: “They haven’t lived here very long, only about eight weeks.

“I didn’t know them very well. I only spoke to the mum once when she was having a cigarette outside and introduced herself.”

Mrs Green, a carer, who has lived in Untons Place for four years, said: “When I was taking the rubbish out on Monday morning a woman officer came in and said they were looking at a ‘serious incident’ next door.

“I said they were a pretty quiet family, they kept themselves to themselves.” Her husband added: “The police have been on the porch or sat in their vehicles ever since.

“Forensic people have been taking loads of stuff out of the house – almost a whole van’s full.

“It looked like they took half of a sofa as well.”

Officers on the scene are expected to leave the street this afternoon. Mr Green, a cleaner, said: “It’s really awful, it’s shocking.

“You don’t expect something like this to happen, not on your doorstep.

“The cards on the flowers outside all say ‘little one’ so I don’t think anyone knows his name.”

Frank John Brown’s son-in-law is the baby’s grandfather, and said the family were now staying elsewhere.

The 70-year-old, from Rose Hill, said: “My daughter called me up and said the baby was very poorly and in hospital.

“They baptised him in hospital before he died.

“It’s very hard for the family.”


  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.