Norfolk County Council has initiated an investigation into the care of a man who was arrested after a three-year-old boy was seriously injured in a crocodile enclosure. The incident occurred on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
The boy, who was visiting the zoo with his family, sustained severe injuries and has undergone five surgeries. He remains in stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and faces a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Cambridgeshire Police were called to the zoo around 1:30 p.m. BST on the day of the attack. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was later released on bail until September 18. Police stated that the man was assessed as not being fit for interview and is believed to have learning disabilities. He was reportedly at the zoo with carers and is not thought to have known the child.
The inquiry is being conducted under the Care Act 2014, which mandates local authorities to investigate potential risks to adults with care and support needs. This process is known as a Section 42 inquiry, a statutory safeguarding measure designed to protect such individuals from abuse or neglect.
A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council clarified that the council does not provide, commission, or pay for any care services for the individual in question. The Care Quality Commission has also confirmed it is aware of the incident and is in communication with the involved organizations to determine if any regulatory action is necessary.