Murder investigation underway after remains of kids, aged two and three, found in UK home
Neighbours have spoken out after a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of two children’s bodies.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of two children were found inside a home north of Birmingham in the UK.
West Midlands Ambulance Service called police to Corporation Street in Stafford on Sunday about 7.30am after the grim discovery.
An ambulance spokesperson said it “quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save them” and the pair died at the scene.
The kids have since been named by police as two-year-old girl Meraj Ul Zahara and three-year-old boy Abdul Momin Alfaateh.
The family of the kids have been notified of their deaths, with specially-trained police tasked to support their loved ones.
A 43-year-old woman from the Stafford area is in police custody.
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Shocked residents told The Sun that they believe the children are siblings.
“It is very distressing for everyone living here,” one mum said.
“What happened is shocking and very, very sad. For two children to lose their lives in this way is horrifying and our hearts go out to the family.
“When I heard the number of the house where the children died my heart sank as I know the mum from school, and I was hoping and praying I had got it wrong.”
Another local said they saw the ambulance remove the bodies of Meraj and Abdul after they woke up at 8am to see six police cars outside the house.
“Around 20 minutes later the ambulance arrived and 20 minutes after that they were taking the bodies away,” a neighbour said.
“I could see from the blankets that they were only kids so my heart sank straight away.”
The incident has been reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
A spokesperson for the watchdog said police had previously visited the home prior to the deaths of the two kids.
“We understand a referral is being made by the force, which once received, we will assess before deciding whether further action may be required by us,” they said.
Forensic officers spent most of the day at the property collecting evidence, including dusting for fingerprints, as part of the investigation.
The street and surrounding roads were cordoned off.
Detective Inspector Kirsty Oldfield said police are trying to determine what happened leading up to the deaths of the two children.
“We ask that people do not speculate at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends and could hinder our inquiries,” she said.
“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community.”
Stafford is a town with a population of about 70,000 people and is located in the county of Staffordshire, about 220 kilometres northwest of London.
Originally published as Murder investigation underway after remains of kids, aged two and three, found in UK home
