‘Night nanny’ in her 40s is arrested on suspicion of kid neglect over dying of Steve Bruce’s four-month-old grandson who was discovered unresponsive at household residence
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of neglect over the death of English football manager Steve Bruce‘s four-month-old grandson.
Madison Smith died after being found unresponsive at his home in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, where he lived with his mother, Bruce’s daughter Amy, and father Matt Smith.
Amy, 37, and Matt, 35, had hired a night nanny to help look after the baby, it is understood.
But their world was turned upside down when Mr Smith checked on Madison just after 7am on October 18, to find him unresponsive.
A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of neglect and was released on bail ahead of further investigations.
Officers are understood to be examining her phone, which suggests she spent time on social media before Madison was found in his bedroom, The Sun first reported.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: ‘We can confirm an investigation is ongoing and a woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
‘She was questioned and released on bail pending further inquiries.’
Steve Bruce’s four-month-old grandson was found unresponsive in his room before his tragic death
Madison was the baby of interior designer Amy, who is Bruce’s daughter
A source told The Sun: ‘Matt woke and the first thing he did was to go and check on Madison and he was horrified to find he wasn’t breathing.
‘It’s a very delicate situation but officers felt concerned enough that they arrested the nanny and they have interviewed her to get her account.
‘They will also look at her phone.’
A North West Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘We attended a private address in Bowdon, on 18th October 2024 following a 999 call at 07:07.
‘One patient was taken to hospital. Two ambulances, a response vehicle, and an advanced paramedic attended the incident.’
News of the tragedy was revealed on October 18, when Blackpool FC – currently under Bruce’s management – released a statement explaining he would not be in the dugout the following day.
It read: ‘The Club can announce that Head Coach Steve Bruce will not be in attendance at tomorrow’s fixture against Barnsley due to the tragic passing of his four-month old grandson, Madison.
‘Everyone at the football club send their love to Steve and his family. We ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this sudden and unexpected loss in their family.’
Madison’s uncle and Bruce’s son, Alex, is the assistant manager at Salford City.
