Halliwell claims her baby was abused

Geri Halliwell's baby daughter was found crying and bruised and may have been physically abused.

The former Spice Girl went to the police after reportedly finding Bluebell bruised and crying when she picked her up from a temporary nanny.

"Geri was absolutely hysterical," a source told The News of the World. "Bluebell is such a happy little child and it broke Geri up to see her in such a state."

The carer allegedly had no answer when the star inquired what had happened. "It was the silence from the nanny that so alarmed Geri," explained the source. "If the nanny had explained there had been an accident, she maybe could have understood."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed the report. "We have received an allegation of abuse against a three-month-old baby," he said. "Officers from our Child Abuse Investigations Unit are investigating and inquiries are continuing. There have been no arrests. We emphasize that the allegations of abuse are of a physical and not sexual nature."