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Probe continues into hanging death of eight-year-old
Ben Bailey14 Sep 2009
Investigations are continuing today into the death of an eight-year-old girl who was found hanged in her bedroom.
The youngster, named locally as Charlotte Moody, was known to social services.
She was found hanged in her bedroom at her home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on Saturday morning.
Her parents, Simon and Susan Moody, were not at their run-down Edwardian terraced home yesterday. They have been interviewed by detectives under caution.
Detectives have not said whether the girl's death was being treated as suspicious. But sources close to the investigation said it appears to have been a tragic accident.
According to neighbours, Charlotte suffered from severe learning difficulties.
One 21-year-old student, who did not want to be named, said: "I was asleep when I heard her mother screaming. There were a few police cars, a couple of ambulances and a doctor.
"The mum was screaming and crying her lungs out. Her dad's eyes were all watery like he was trying to keep his emotions in."
He added: "I have been here a long time and they are an alright family. The girl never came out and they were really quiet."
Charlotte was found by her parents at their home in Moor Street at about 9.15am on Saturday.
Yesterday a bunch of flowers, a card and a Minnie Mouse soft toy were left at the front door to the house. A hand-written note read: "I will miss you." The blinds were drawn across the window.
A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Saturday night confirmed the cause of the girl's death as hanging.
Specialist police officers are now working with social services at Nottinghamshire County Council to find out how the tragedy happened.
Det Supt Adrian Pearson, head of Nottinghamshire Police's public protection unit, said: "We are investigating the full circumstances of this death with our colleagues at children and young people's services.
"The inquiry is at a very early stage, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at present."
Councillor Philip Owen, in charge of children's services at Nottinghamshire County Council, confirmed that Charlotte was known to the local authority.
He said: "She (Charlotte) was known to the department as she had learning difficulties but officers are now reviewing all the paperwork to get a full and complete picture into what has happened.
"Her mother had been in care as a younger person and the daughter was suffering from learning difficulties so all the paperwork and case history will be reviewed as part of the ongoing process."
Reader views (3)
I know Keith - I lived in Africa for 8 years - that's why it disgusts me to see so many of the children of what was the World's fourth biggest economy for a decade not fairing that much better.
- Roz, France, 14/09/2009 14:26
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Take off your blinkers and you'll see a whole planet where kids have troubles, worries and responsibilities and would make many adults blanche.
- Keith, King's Cross, 14/09/2009 13:12
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EIGHT? How does a child of eight even know the concept of suicide, let alone how to practice it . . . ? Britain is no place for kids.
- Roz, France, 14/09/2009 09:23
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