Vicar arrested over death of baby boy in Lancashire

A vicar and a 28-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a baby boy.

Vicar Jim Percival was detained after police were called to an address in Freckleton following a report that a woman had given birth to a still-born baby.

When police attended the body of a newly born baby boy was discovered and an investigation was launched.

The baby’s mother was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was treated and later released.

Following inquiries, the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious.

A post mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death is currently inconclusive.

Further tests are now being carried out to try to establish exactly how the baby died.

A 64-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman from Freckleton have been arrested on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child and sexual offences.

A 65-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.

They are all currently in custody.

The police investigation continues.