Vicar and daughter arrested on suspicion of murder after newborn baby found dead
Rev Jim Percival, 64, and daughter Ruth, 28, are being quizzed on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child
A vicar has been arrested along with his wife and daughter by police investigating the death of a newborn baby boy.Rev Jim Percival, 64, and daughter Ruth, 28, are being quizzed on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.
Wife Susan, 65, was held only on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.
Their arrests in the village of Freckleton, Lancs, came a week after police went to the Holy Trinity Parish Church vicarage after reports of a still birth.
In a statement, police said the baby’s 28-year-old mum had been taken to hospital but later released.
They said: “A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious.
“The cause of death is currently inconclusive.
“Further tests are now being carried out to try to establish exactly how the baby died.”
Since the arrests on Tuesday, scenes of crime officers have been searching the vicarage, which is in a cul-de-sac of just four properties, and their gardens.
Door-to-door enquiries have also been carried out in the area.
One villager said: “The vicar has been here for some time and this is a complete shock.”
It is understood Rev Percival, who is also the vice chairman of the governors at Freckleton Church of England Primary School, has been at the church, which dates from 1837, for 11 years.
The Diocese of Blackburn said it would be offering support to the parish following the arrests.
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