Two-year-old girl told police officer in Burton-upon-Trent that she was by herself because she could not wake her mother

A two-year-old girl spotted walking on her own to her nursery led an off-duty policeman to the body of her mother.



The police community support officer was driving with his wife on 6 January when he came across the little girl in Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent. When asked what she was doing the toddler told the couple she was heading to nursery because she could not wake her mother, according to Staffordshire police.

The girl, spotted yards from her home, then led the officer to the house, where her mother, Nicolla Rushton, was found dead. The 30-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

The officer, who is not being named by the force, stayed with the girl until the emergency services arrived and was praised for his actions by Ch Insp Steve Maskrey. “This is a brilliant piece of work by him that shows that we are never off-duty. The officer and his wife took the time to look after the little girl and stay with her until emergency services arrived. Sadly, nothing could be done to help the woman,” he said. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.”

Maskrey also paid tribute to the local community for its help in piecing together what happened after the girl was spotted. He said: “I must also praise the community, who all came together and helped the police with their inquiries.”

The girl is now being cared for by family. An inquest into Rushton’s death is expected to take place in due course.