Five held by police after newborn baby dies from stab wounds in Sheffield

Officers responded to reports concerning safety of baby girl at property in Wincobank area of the city

Five people are being held on suspicion of murder after a newborn baby died from stab wounds in Sheffield on Sunday.

Police officers found the girl at a property in Holywell Heights, in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, while responding to reports concerning her safety just before 6am on Sunday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Seven people were arrested on suspicion of murder. Two have since been bailed. A postmortem examination found the girl had died from stab wounds, police said on Tuesday.

DCI Tom Woodward of South Yorkshire police said first responders, paramedics and detectives now leading the murder investigation had been profoundly affected by the baby’s death.

“We recognise this is deeply distressing for those who would have loved to have a chance to love this baby girl, for the emergency services who responded and for the community who will inevitably be shocked by this incident,” Woodward said. “Our commitment to this little girl is unwavering.

“We will confront every difficult and distressing challenge and pursue every line of inquiry with determination and care to secure justice for her.”

Woodward said the investigation was fast-moving and asked the community to “avoid speculating around the circumstances of this tragic incident”.

“We know the local community will hold her in their thoughts and support us as we work through this complex investigation,” he said.

Five murder suspects remain in custody after police were granted a warrant for further detention, a force spokesperson said on Tuesday. A 26-year-old and a 37-year-old have been released on bail.

Specialist search officers will remain in the Holywell Heights area as the investigation continues.

South Yorkshire police said anyone with information about the case should contact them online or call 101, quoting incident number 993 on 30 August 2026. People can also report information to the independent charity Crimestoppers.