Police release woman without charge after girl, eight, dies in balcony fall

A woman arrested on suspicion of neglect of an eight-year-old girl who fell from the balcony of a block of flats will face no further action, police have said.

Minnie Rae Dunn following the fall from the property in Wingfield Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire on August 24 2023.

She died despite efforts by police and paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service to save her.

Following her death, a 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of neglect but a Hampshire Police spokesman has confirmed that she has now been released without charge.

He said: “We have been continuing to conduct a thorough investigation following the death of eight-year-old Minnie Rae Dunn in Portsmouth in August 2023.

“We were called at 6.50pm on Thursday August 24 to reports that Minnie had fallen from a balcony on Wingfield Street, Portsmouth.

“We attended along with our colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service who treated Minnie, who subsequently died.

“At the current time, we do not believe that there was third-party involvement in Minnie’s death and a file will now be prepared for the Coroner.

“Following our enquiries, a 43-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of neglect of a child, has been released without charge and will face no further action.”

Paying tribute to Minnie, her mother Rebecca said in a statement previously released through police: “My angel, I am going to miss your sassiness and the way you spoke your mind. Your big bright smile that always melted my heart will be missed so much.

“I have a hole shape in my heart that will always be there. My little angel fly high, I love you to the moon and back. Mummy.”