Young nurse accused of murder after 17 babies die in neonatal unit [FIRST PHOTOS]

A healthcare worker arrested on suspicion of murder is believed to be a young nurse who has been working at Countess of Chester Hospital for several years.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, 17 babies died in the hospital’s neonatal unit between March 2015 and July 2016. Authorities in Chester, England, announced on Tuesday that an unidentified health care worker had been arrested in connection to eight infant deaths.

Multiple reports have indicated that the suspect arrested is likely Lucy Letby, a 28-year-old nurse who has reportedly worked at Countess of Chester Hospital since 2011.

Multiple UK-based news outlets, including The Mirror and the Daily Mail, have reported a heavy police presence at a home that authorities have confirmed belongs to Letby. But British law enforcement officials have not made a public announcement confirming the identity of the suspect.

The Mirror reports that police have also visited Letby’s parents at their home in Hereford.

Letby’s neighbors in Chester reportedly said that the woman had kept to herself, and had not lived in the home for too long — no more than two years.

Authorities have not revealed the precise cause of the death of the babies, and have kept details of the investigation under wraps.

“Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers,” Cheshire police said in a statement.

“This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children.”