A seven-year-old boy died outside his home after suffering from suspected hypothermia.
It is understood that Hakeem Hussain may have been in the near freezing temperatures outdoors for some time before his body was found. He had suffered a cardiac arrest.
A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child while a woman, 35, was arrested on suspicion of wilfully neglecting a child. Both have been bailed while police continue to investigate.
Little Hakeem Hussain was found dead outside this house in Birmingham on Sunday
A neighbour 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.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it was called to the house in Nechells, Birmingham, shortly after 7.30am on Sunday.
Two ambulances attended but nothing could be done to save tragic Hakeem and he was declared dead at the scene.
The property’s front door was taped off while police investigated his tragic death
A post-mortem examination is due to take place today to determine the cause of death.
Hakeem was a Year 3 pupil at nearby Nechells Primary Academy. Pupils have been offered counselling and the headteacher has written to parents about the tragedy.
It is understood David Moran, chief executive of the E-Act Academy chain which runs 25 schools including Nechells Primary, is to write to Colin Diamond, the city council’s corporate director, children and young people, about the death.
Police have said inquiries into the youngster’s death are 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 inquiries continue.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was ‘called to reports of a cardiac arrest at a property on Cook Street in Nechells shortly after 7.30am on Sunday morning (26 November).
‘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 on scene.’
He was a pupil at this primary school, where the headteacher has written to parents
Nechells headteacher Julie Wright has written to parents in the wake of the tragedy.
She said: ‘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.
‘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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