No charge over emaciated girl

Charlotte had wasted away to half her healthy weight

The mother of a 12-year-old girl who died weighing just three and a half stone will not face prosecution,say police.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided there is not enough evidence to charge anyone over the death of Charlotte Collett.

Charlotte, from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, had wasted away to half the normal weight of a girl her age, when she died.

Her mother Katrina, 46, who was arrested and bailed during the inquiry, has now had her bail lifted.

The schoolgirl died at St Mary's Hospital in Newport

The schoolgirl, who lived with her mother and three sisters, aged 22, 17, and 11, was taken to St Mary's Hospital in Newport, but died of pneumonia on 9 July 2002.

She had missed lessons at Archbishop Kings School in Newport since May.

Kevin Briscoe of Hampshire Police said: "This has been a very thorough inquiry conducted over several months, and has required an input from a number of experts, particularly from the medical profession.

"A comprehensive file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice, which included substantial medical evidence.

'Insufficient evidence'

"The Crown Prosecution Service has given detailed consideration to the evidence arising from the police investigation into the tragic death of Charlotte and has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction of any person.

"Charlotte's mother and her solicitor have been advised accordingly.

"A 46-year-old island woman who had been on police bail during this inquiry has been released from her bail."

An inquest into Charlotte's death is expected to open soon.

Charlotte's mother was detained under the Mental Health Act shortly after her daughter's death.