Woman arrested over care home death on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence

A woman has been arrested, on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence, over the death of Jean Halfpenny in May 2010 at Orchid View care home in Copthorne, Sussex.

The 44-year-old woman from Tunbridge Wells was arrested by Sussex Police investigating neglect at the home.

Southern Cross, which operated Orchid View, closed the home last year following allegations of ill-treatment and neglect. It cared for 11 patients with dementia.

The care home has since reopened under a new name and new management.

On 11 September, 2012, a 28-year-old man was arrested at HMP Dartmoor. He is being held there for an unrelated matter. He was released back to HMP Dartmoor pending further enquiries.

In September and October 2011 police arrested three people in relation to this investigation on suspicion of ill-treatment and neglect contrary to the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

A 41-year-old woman from Crawley and a 55-year-old woman from South Godstone have been bailed until 10 November pending further enquiries. A 49-year-old man from Burgess Hill has been bailed until 1 November pending further enquiries.

The wider investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the NHS, West Sussex County Council's Adults' Services and HM Coroner for West Sussex, and police have called it a “long and complex investigation”.

When police launched the investigation last year they said they were looking into the “potential misapplication of medicine” at the home. Sussex Police have visited the next of kin of all former patients who are the subject of the investigation.