Social services to probe baby's death after mother held for suspected abuse

London: Social services are poised to launch an investigation into the short life of a 21-month-old after his mother was arrested following his death.

Bobby Harris died in hospital from multiple injuries after ambulance crews were called to his mother Collette's home in Bexleyheath after Christmas.

Collette, 29, and her 24-year-old boyfriend were arrested and then re-arrested by police after a post-mortem revealed the toddler's horrific injuries.

Social services at Bexley council had had "no dealings" with Bobby and he was not on the "at risk" register.

Neighbours said Collette had moved in a few months ago so investigations will centre on whether the family was being looked after by social workers at a previous location.

Shock

Bobby was pronounced dead at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup at 10.23am on Monday, less than an hour after he was taken away in an ambulance from his home.

Neighbours called the family "reclusive" and "rude". Neil Davey, 24, said: "They were fairly reclusive, we hardly ever saw them. But the investigation has shocked me."

Tony Gater, 42, said: "The couple did annoy some people. They just appeared rude. A couple of times neighbours said good morning to them and were blanked."

Two touching tributes with flowers and teddy bears lay on the doorstep of the house where Bobby lived with his nine-year-old brother Kyle, his mother and her partner.