15/03/2007

Care home closed over poisoning allegations

A residential care home has been ordered to close as police investigate claims that a resident was poisoned.

Lucy Cox, 97, died at the Parkfields Residential Care Home in Somerset on New Year's Day.

Rachel and Leigh Baker, who run the home, were arrested after her death. It is understood that police are also investigating the deaths of six other residents as part of routine investigations.

The couple, from Glastonbury, were arrested in January and released on bail after being questioned. Police only released details of the investigation after a leak to 'The Sun' newspaper.

Mrs Baker, 45, is understood to have been arrested in suspicion of administering a noxious substance, while Mr Baker, 48, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection confirmed that "certain matters" about Parkfields were brought to their attention in January and confirmed that they had cancelled the home's registration because the owners had failed to improve standards.

(KMcA/SP)

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