A 32-year-old woman was still being questioned by police as we were going to press yesterday (Thursday) after the body of a toddler was found on Coppet Hall beach, Saundersfoot, on Tuesday.
The two-year-old Afro-Caribbean boy - who has yet to be identified - was discovered on rocks at the Wiseman's Bridge end of the beach by a man walking his dogs at around 10.30 am.
A post mortem carried out by Home Office pathologists revealed the cause of death to be drowning
A child's buggy was found some distance away near rocks at the Saundersfoot end of the beach.
The beach was closed to the public for most of the day while police forensic teams examined the scene.
Fearing that the child's parents could be missing at sea a major air, sea and land search was launched involving up to 20 police officers, Coastguard units from Tenby, Manorbier, Llanstephan and St. Govans, the SAR helicopter from RAF Chivenor, Tenby's lifeboat the RFA Sir Galahad and the Tenby ILB.
The search parties were stood down after around six hours and it emerged on Wednesday that police had arrested an Afro-Caribbean woman from the Midlands in the Carmarthen area later in the day on Tuesday.
A police spokesman said yesterday (Thursday) morning that the woman was still being detained in Carmarthen.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, the police can hold a person without charge for 24 hours. This can be extended by a superintendent for a further 12 hours.
After this time the police can either charge the person, release them or apply to the courts to detain them for a further three days for more questioning, and the police spokesman said that detectives were considering their options.
The police were liaising with forces in the Midlands area and are pursuing several lines of inquiry, including claims that a group of youths were seen on the beach on Monday night.
An Afro-Caribbean woman is reported as having been searching for accommodation in Saundersfoot village on Monday night and on Wednesday afternoon police forensic teams searched the Edgecombe guest house.
As the investigations continue, DCI Mel Evans, who is heading the inquiry, also renewed appeals for information.
They are particularly anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen an Afro-Caribbean woman with a pushchair in the vicinity of Saundersfoot railway station or beach some time between 7.30 pm on Monday and 10.30 am on Tuesday.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Pembroke Dock incident room on (01646) 682121 ext. 690/693.
News of the toddler's death has shocked the local community.
"Everyone in the village is deeply shocked that a thing like this could happen," Saundersfoot Community Council chairman, Clr. Don Poole said.
"You hear of tragedies like this elsewhere, but you never expect them on your own doorstep.
"Everyone is very sad about the whole affair.
"I'm sure all the circumstances will come out in time, but it will take the village a long time to get over the shock of this."
Fellow community councillor, Mr. Aubrey Lawrence, who owns the Coppet Hall beach car park, was equally shocked.
He was working at the car park early on Tuesday morning, but was unaware of the tragic events just yards away on the beach until police and paramedic teams arrived.
"It was a damp old morning and there were only a couple of people walking their dogs around," he told the Observer.
"I suspect the person who found the child used a mobile 'phone because they didn't make us aware. The first we heard was when the police arrived.
"We're still very shaken and very much in the dark about this tragedy."
A special service for the toddler was also held at St. Issell's Church on Wednesday.