THE TEENAGE parents of five-month-old baby Levi Rose have been charged with his murder.

Christopher Rose, 19, and Kelly Catlow, 18, of Cronkshaw Street, Burnley, and formerly of Within Grove, Huncoat, were arrested by police on Saturday and were yesterday charged with murder.

They were appearing before magistrates at Burnley today.

The five-month-old twin was found to be dead on arrival at Burnley General Hospital at about 4pm on Saturday.

Police have said a post mortem examination carried out by Dr John Rutherford revealed he had died from injuries including a fractured skull.

The couple are also the parents of Levi's twin sister Sasha and 15-month-old Sebastian.

Meanwhile the grieving aunts of the dead child are calling for social services to carry out their own inquiry into the tragedy.

Sisters Margaret Rose, 23, and Carole Rose, 25, both live in Booth Street, Accrington. They are still trying to come to terms with the death of their five-month-old nephew, Levi, and that their brother, Christopher, 19, has been jointly charged with his son's murder.

Margaret said: "It's like a dream. It's hard to believe it's really happened."

Lancashire County Council social services department say police are investigating the case and comment on the detail of it was not possible.

However in a prepared statement they added: "Whenever a case involves an incident leading to the death of a child where child abuse is suspected or confirmed, the case is subject to review under established procedures.

"These procedures provide for a review of the case by every agency which has responsibilities relating to child protection. "Following individual review by each agency the Area Child Protection Committee undertakes a multi-agency review.

"These reviews are expected to take place quickly but may lead to more detailed inquiries. The case management review procedure will be followed in this case."

The sisters said their divorced parents were devastated. Their mother, Doreen Clark, who lives in Accrington is seriously ill, and their father lives in Burnley.

Christopher and his partner Kelly, 18, only moved to Cronkshaw Street, Burnley, in September and previously lived in Within Grove, Huncoat.

Carole said: "It was 16 hours before I was told my nephew had died and Christopher and Kelly had been taken into custody."

She broke the news to her sister.

They are hoping to reach agreement with Kelly's family for Levi to be buried in Accrington.

Their personal wish is for Levi to be buried with his baby cousin. Carole's three-day-old daughter, Jessica Brine, died in her mother's arms in 1990.

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