Father pays tribute to dead baby

Mr McCall said he had been looking forward to seeing Alexis grow up

The father of a six-week-old baby girl whose death is being probed by police has paid tribute to his "beautiful little girl."

Alexis Matheson died on Monday after being taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Police have carried out forensic tests on a house in Aberdeen and have spoken to Alexis's mother Ilona Sheach and Ms Sheach's partner Mark Simpson.

Alexis's father Robert McCall, 18, said her death had left him "devastated".

In a statement issued through Grampian Police, Mr McCall said that although he had only seen Alexis once before she was taken to hospital, he had formed an immediate and close bond with the baby girl.

It gives me great comfort to have been present at the hospital in Edinburgh when Alexis was christened with her close family present Robert McCall Father of Alexis Matheson

He revealed he was struggling to come to terms with the death of Alexis just weeks after she had come into the world, but was thankful he had managed to spent time with her in hospital before she died.

Mr McCall added: "In the years to come I was looking forward to seeing Alexis growing up and despite the fact that her mother and I are no longer together, I would have hoped that I could have seen a lot of her and enjoyed a close relationship with her.

"Now all I have is a brief memory of my baby. However I am so glad that I was informed that she was in hospital and had the opportunity to say goodbye to her before she passed away. The few photographs I have of Alexis I will treasure always.

"It gives me great comfort to have been present at the hospital in Edinburgh when Alexis was christened with her close family present. My darling girl is in heaven and I pray that she will have a special place there."

Forensic examination

Mr McCall expressed his appreciation to medical staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where Alexis had initially been taken, the air ambulance service and the Sick Kids hospital who did their best to save Alexis.

Grampian Police said their forensic examination of the house in Deansloch Crescent had been completed.

It is understood officers have spoken to both Ms Sheach, 19, and Mr Simpson, 27.

Police are believed to have spoken to Ilona Sheach and Mark Simpson

A spokesman for the force said the death of Alexis continued to be treated as unexplained and that no-one had been charged.

Det Insp Richie Guild, who is heading the inquiry, said he expected house-to-house enquiries to be completed on Thursday.

He said: "I would like to express my appreciation to the residents in the area for their co-operation and forbearance.

"There has been a great deal of police activity in the area and we are very much aware that has inevitably caused disruption to people's everyday lives."

Alexis was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at about 0100 GMT on Sunday.

After initial treatment there, she was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children by air ambulance for specialist treatment.

Police said that, despite the best efforts of medical staff, she died.

A team of 20 officers are involved in the investigation.