Ms Letby was charged in 2015 and 2016 with murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others at Countess of Chester Hospital. The jury heard on Tuesday that she texted a colleague about the death of her first alleged victim in June 2015. Ms Letby, 32, has denied all 22 charges. She was accused of killing Child A on the evening of June 8 by injecting air into his bloodstream. On the following night shift, she allegedly attempted to murder his twin sister, Child B, using the same method. The jury was shown a series of messages Ms Letby, originally from Hereford, exchanged with other staff members, as well as activity on her social media accounts, at Manchester Crown Court. The court was told that less than two hours after she finished the shift during which Child A died, she conducted a Facebook search for the child’s mother. On June 10, Ms Letby’s Facebook account was used to conduct another search for the twins’ mother. The court was also told that on June 9, before her next shift began, she texted a nurse who asked if she was okay and told her that “we all did everything we possibly could under very difficult and sad circumstances.” “I haven’t gotten much sleep. “I don’t want to see my parents, but it has to be done,” the message continued. “I told [another nurse] that I couldn’t look after [Child B] because I don’t know how I’ll feel seeing parents.” When we took him to the mortuary, he was crying on the floor and saying, “Please don’t take our baby away.” “It’s heartbreaking.” It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. I’m hoping for a better one tonight.” The jury was told that Child B collapsed hours later while Ms Letby was on duty. The baby eventually stabilised and was discharged the following month. Ms Letby texted a nurse who had cared for Child A when he was born two days later. It was “awful,” she wrote, adding, “he died very suddenly and unexpectedly just after handover.” We are awaiting post-mortem results. Hopefully, they’ll be able to figure it out.” Her colleague texted her that she was “not having a great run right now,” to which she replied, “I wasn’t supposed to be in either.” I took photographs, hand and footprints, and so on. “They are terrified that they will lose [Child B] as well.” Ms Letby was accused of murdering Child C on June 14 and Child D on June 22. Ms Letby conducted a third Facebook search for the twins’ mother on June 25. Five days later, she informed a colleague that Child B had been transferred to the unit’s recovery room following her collapse earlier in the month. Her colleague mentioned “something odd about that night and the other three that went so suddenly,” prompting Ms Letby to inquire, “What do you mean?” It’s strange that we lost three people in such different circumstances.” The colleague responded by questioning whether they were different, adding, “Ignore me, I’m speculating.” Ms Letby responded once more, stating that Child C “was tiny, obviously compromised in utero. [Child D] is a septic. I’m having trouble understanding [Child A].” A staff debriefing into Child A’s death was held on July 30, according to the court. Ms Letby is accused of murdering a fifth baby, Child E, on August 4 and then attempting to murder his twin brother, Child F, the next day. The jury was told that she searched for Child A and B’s mother on Facebook again a month later, on September 9th. Ten days later, she messaged a colleague to inquire about the twins’ parents, who responded that they “seem fine” and that the baby’s father “loves having [Child B] home.” “That’s fantastic,” Ms Letby responded. She resembles [the mother]!!” A court order prohibits reporting the identities of surviving and deceased children allegedly assaulted by the defendant, as well as identifying parents or witnesses associated with the children. The trial is still ongoing.
