A toddler who was brutally murdered in his own home died from multiple stab wounds.
The 23-month-old boy was discovered by police at a semi-detached home in Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Officers were called to the property after reports of a domestic incident in the early hours of Sunday.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a toddler in Wythenshawe
Police have launched a murder probe following the ‘deeply-distressing’ incident
A 30-year-old woman, believed to be the child’s mother, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in hospital where she is receiving treatment.
A 31-year-old man, who was also arrested in connection with the murder, has been released without charge.
Formal identification has taken place and the boy’s family are being supported by specially-trained officers.
A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded the boy died from multiple stab wounds.
Detective Inspector Carl Jones, from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: ‘This is a truly distressing investigation and we are doing everything we can to find out exactly what has happened.
‘The family wish for their privacy to be respected at this time and I’d ask that people do not speculate around the boy’s identity to allow them to grieve and come to terms with this tragedy.
The man, 31, was arrested on suspicion of murder has since been released without charge
A teddy bear tied to a floral tribute. The note reads: ‘RIP little man. Fly high with the angels xxx’
‘We have one person under arrest but need those who have not yet passed on information to come forward.’
Neighbours reported hearing screaming come from inside the property and blood splattered outside.
Mike Robson, 32, said: ‘The police were here on Friday for about two hours.’
Another resident said: ‘I heard a woman’s scream and then a car sped off quite quickly later. The police turned up and there was blood outside the house.’
‘I’ve seen the boy play in the garden and outside,’ said a neighbour. ‘I always thought he looked happy. It’s heartbreaking.’
Police patrol the scene in Wythenshawe, Manchester, after the boy was killed on Sunday
‘His mum seems to dote on him,’ said one man who recalled seeing the boy playing on his bike.
On arrival to the home, officers discovered a man and woman had left the address and gone to hospital. Inside the property they found the body of a young boy.
A neighbour added police had been at the house on Friday after a previous dispute apparently boiled over.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 2239, 101 quoting incident number 14 of 27 August 2017, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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