Toddler found alone tells PCSO ‘I am going to nursery, I can’t wake mummy up’

A PCSO made a tragic discovery after he picked up a little girl who said she was walking alone because she couldn’t “wake mummy.” The off-duty officer, who has not been named, was driving with his wife when he spotted the toddler in Shobnall, Burton upon Trent, last Wednesday. He approached her to ask her where she was going and she replied: “I am going to nursery. I can’t wake mummy up.” The girl then led him back to her home in Shobnall Road, where her mum, Nicolla Rushton, 30, was discovered dead. 

The heartbreaking details emerged today as it was revealed police were not treating the death of Ms Rushton as suspicious. Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey, from Staffordshire Police, has since praised his officer and said his actions showed police “are never off duty.”

He said: “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.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.

"The little girl is now safe with family.

“I must also praise the community who all came together and helped the police with their inquiries. Thank you.”