Some of nurse Lucy Letby’s baby killings could have been prevented, U.K judge concludes: “Failure at all levels”

September 15, 2026 / 9:27 AM EDT / CBS/AP

An English judge issued a scathing report Tuesday blaming dysfunctional management and a "complete failure at all levels" to protect babies at the hospital where neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven newborns.

The inquiry into baby deaths found the Countess of Chester Hospital, in northwestern England, could have saved some infants from death and injury if staff had acted sooner when children began collapsing, Justice Kathryn Thirlwall said.

"Errors were made by nurses, doctors and managers," Thirlwall said. "There was also complete failure at all levels to invoke safeguarding procedures at any point."

The inquiry heard from more than 130 witnesses and considered 400 statements over six months, BBC News reported.

Letby, 36, is serving a life sentence for the murders of seven babies and attempted killing of seven others. She has maintained her innocence, and a defense team backed by dozens of scientists who have questioned the evidence against her are seeking to clear her name.

Thirlwall's inquiry did not review Letby's convictions but looked at how institutional failures exposed babies to repeatedly be harmed at the hospital and how staff and management responded and treated parents.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/