The three-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after allegedly being thrown into a crocodile enclosure on June 18 (stock image) (Image: Getty)
A safeguarding investigation has been launched into the care of a man accused of throwing a three-year-old boy into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo. Norfolk County Council confirmed it has opened a Section 42 safeguarding inquiry into whether the 30-year-old man, who has disabilities and receives care, may have experienced abuse or neglect.
The development comes after he was arrested on June 18 on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire. The boy suffered serious injuries after purportedly being thrown into an enclosure containing at least 15 crocodiles, with at least one of the reptiles attacking him before zoo staff rescued him.
The suspect, who had been visiting the attraction with two carers, was later released on police bail after officers deemed him unfit to be interviewed.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident (Image: Getty)
According to The Telegraph, detectives from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Unit are reviewing CCTV footage from the zoo and are also examining the role of the man’s carers during the incident.
A source claimed the carers attempted to leave the zoo with the suspect while staff were rescuing the injured child.
They said: “They tried to get him into the car. Another member of staff was there and prevented them from leaving.”
Norfolk County Council said it had also paused referrals to the care provider involved while wider checks are carried out.
A spokesperson said the authority is working with health and care partners “to identify and review all those individuals receiving care from this provider and to ensure the care they are receiving is of the quality and consistency they expect and deserve”.
Section 42 inquiries are statutory investigations carried out under the Care Act to determine whether an adult receiving care is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves.
Although the suspect lives in Norfolk, the council said his care is not commissioned, funded or provided by the authority.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has also confirmed it has been notified of the incident.
A spokesperson said: “CQC is liaising with the organisations involved to understand whether there is any regulatory action it needs to take.”
Earlier this week, the injured boy’s family thanked zoo staff for their quick actions, saying they had saved his life.
His grandmother said the youngster remains in a stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital but faces “a long road to recovery”.
She said his parents are by his side supporting him through his physical and psychological recovery.
A fundraising page launched to support the boy’s rehabilitation has raised more than £22,000.
Following the incident, Huntingdonshire District Council carried out an inspection of the zoo and concluded there were no health and safety concerns requiring formal enforcement action.
The authority said environmental health officers were satisfied the incident was isolated and confirmed the zoo will still undergo its routine inspection later this year under the Zoo Licensing Act.