Two people have been arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child after a boy of seven was found dead in a house.
The body of the boy, a Year 3 pupil at Nechells Primary Academy, was discovered at a property on Cook Street in the Nechells area of Birmingham early on Sunday.
A 56-year-old man and a woman, 35, were arrested and later released under investigation.
The body of the boy, a Year 3 pupil at Nechells Primary Academy, was discovered at a property on Cook Street in the Nechells area of Birmingham
A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Friday to establish the cause of the boy’s death, and police said enquiries were continuing.
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.’
A man who lives next door to the property said the boy had looked ‘happy and healthy’.
He said a middle-aged man had lived at the house for a couple of years, but was joined by his niece and her young son around two weeks ago.
He 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.’
Pupils at the Academy just yards from Cook Street have been offered counselling.
A man who lives next door to the property said the boy had looked ‘happy and healthy’
A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Friday to establish the cause of the boy’s death, and police said enquiries were continuing
In a letter to parents, headteacher Julie Wright wrote: ‘It is with deep regret that I am writing with the sad news that one of our Year 3 pupils passed away on Saturday.
‘This loss to our academy community is sure to raise many emotions and concerns for our staff and pupils.
‘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.
‘Please do get in touch with us if you feel that you or your child need any further help or assistance.
‘We are saddened by the loss to our academy community and will make every effort to support you and your child as you need.’
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