The mother and great-uncle of a boy who is thought to have frozen to death outside his home have been pictured for the first time.
Laura Heath, 35, and Timothy Busk, 56, were arrested and released after seven-year-old Hakeem Hussain was declared dead at the property in Birmingham on Sunday.
The schoolboy is believed to have been outdoors for some time and had reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.
It is thought he succumbed to hypothermia in freezing temperatures, although that was not confirmed last night. His mother was named locally as Ms Heath.
She is understood to have been living with her uncle, Mr Busk, who neighbours said they saw being taken away by police on Sunday morning.
Laura Heath (left) and Timothy Busk (right) were arrested and released after Hakeem Hussain was declared dead at the property in Birmingham on Sunday
It came after Hakeem Hussain died on Sunday morning after suffering suspected hypothermia
He was arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child while she was questioned on suspicion of wilful neglect. Both have been released under investigation while inquiries continue.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place today.
The boy’s aunt Aroosa Kausar said: ‘Hakeem had such a bright future. He was such a sweet boy and very playful. His death has torn our family apart.
‘His father is absolutely devastated and already misses him greatly.
Hakeem (pictured in 2014, shortly after he started school) was described as a ‘sweet, playful boy’ who wanted to be a doctor
‘All we have left are memories of him, but we will hold him dearly in our hearts. His laugh will stay with us forever.’ She said she did not know how Hakeem – who suffered from asthma – had died, adding: ‘We don’t know anything about him dying of hypothermia.
‘He did suffer from asthma. I saw the mum the other night, but I don’t really want to say anything about that.
‘She was just really, really upset and heartbroken. She does not wish to speak in person at the moment.
‘She’s uncomfortable about speaking. She has people accusing her of all sorts when she is mourning her son’s death.’
Police said they could not speculate on the cause of death. A neighbour said the seven-year-old had moved into the property in the Nechells area with his mother only two weeks ago.
She said: ‘It’s such tragic news. He was only a young boy with brown hair and he was lovely and playful. He seemed very happy and healthy.
‘I saw him leaving the house a couple of times with his mum. She was our neighbour’s niece and had only moved in two weeks ago.
‘They seemed lovely, quiet people but would always help us out if we knocked on the door and asked.
‘I had just been woken up by an ambulance arriving. I knew instantly something bad had happened but this is so tragic.’
Hakeem Hussain was found dead outside this house in Nechells, Birmingham shortly after 7.30am on Sunday
Hakeem attended nearby Nechells Primary Academy, where pupils have been offered counselling.
Head Julie Wright wrote to parents in the wake of the death. She said: ‘This loss to our academy community is sure to raise many emotions and concerns for our staff and pupils.
The property’s front door was taped off while police investigated his tragic death
‘We currently cannot provide any further information, however we would like to reassure you that there will be dedicated support in place at this difficult time.
‘We are working with Birmingham City Council to ensure that staff and pupils have access to grief and bereavement counsellors.
‘We are saddened by the loss to our academy community and will make every effort to support you and your child as you need.’
A neighbour said: ‘When I heard what happened I was shocked. I never heard anything from inside the house, they were always very quiet.
‘The couple of times I saw the child he looked happy, healthy and well-fed and had no sign of injury.’
Another woman who lives locally said: ‘It’s such tragic news. He was only a young boy with brown hair and he was lovely and playful. He seemed very happy and healthy.
‘I saw him leaving the house a couple of times with his mum. She was our neighbour’s niece and had only moved in two weeks ago.
‘I would sometimes see him leaving the house on his mobility scooter.
‘They seemed lovely, quiet people but he would always help us out if we knocked on the door and asked.
He was a pupil at this primary school, where the headteacher has written to parents to offer support
West Midlands Ambulance Service said: ‘Two ambulances and a paramedic officer attended the scene and arrived to find a boy in cardiac arrest.
‘Sadly, nothing could be done to save the child and he was confirmed dead at the scene.’
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: ‘A man and woman were arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child after a seven-year-old boy was found deceased at a property in Cook Street, Nechells, on Sunday, November 26, just after 7.30am.
‘The 56-year-old man and woman, aged 35, have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.’
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