A couple who say their daughter’s life was saved twice by jailed nurse Lucy Letby have spoken out, asserting they do not know if she is innocent or guilty but that she acted with competence during a difficult time. Carl and Clare Bolton's account emerges as questions surrounding Letby's convictions continue to grow, with a public inquiry set to release its findings and the Criminal Cases Review Commission considering the case for a retrial.
Seven years ago, the Boltons met with medical staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital regarding their daughter Jessica's early days in the neonatal unit. They were seeking reassurance, unaware that their child had suffered two serious deteriorations and required emergency intervention. According to the couple, Lucy Letby was the lead nurse in Jessica's case and acted to save their daughter's life on two occasions, once going “above and beyond the call of duty.”
Letby, who is now serving 15 whole life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, was arrested in July 2018. The Boltons recognized her from news footage as the nurse who had treated them with kindness and courtesy during Jessica's initial five days in the neonatal unit.
Early Concerns
The Boltons described the neonatal unit as chaotic, understaffed, and visibly struggling. They noted that many staff members appeared inexperienced, and they rarely saw an actual doctor. They recalled instances of other babies experiencing distress, with nurses unsure of the cause. In contrast, Letby took the time to explain Jessica's care to them, a level of attention they felt was lacking from other staff members.
Jessica, who was born prematurely in May 2016 via emergency caesarean, experienced significant health issues within her first 24 hours, being described by Carl Bolton as