Neighbours’ shock over death of girl, 2, and boy, 3
While police in Stafford continue to question a woman on suspicion of murder, neighbors spoke of their shock after the deaths of two children.
Two-year-old Meraj Ul Zahra and three-year-old Abdul Momin Alfaateh died after they were found injured and unresponsive at a house on Corporation Street around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.
A 43-year-old woman from Stafford Arrested on suspicion of murder Staffordshire Police said he remained in custody while investigations continued.
Neighbors told BBC Midlands Today of their shock after learning what had happened; one woman described the incident as “horrible” and “totally crazy.”
Another resident, Maddison Simcock, said: “I saw all the police and ambulances coming up and I was very worried.
“My mother called me and told me [what had happened]and ‘On my street?’ I said. It was crazy.”
Maddison Simcock said she was worried after seeing emergency services on her street [BBC]
Jeffrey Marfo said he was “truly devastated” after learning the children had died.
“The whole region has become very, very tense. We don’t know what happened,” he added.
Police remained on Corporation Street on Monday as investigations continued and flowers were also left at the scene.
Among them were two bouquets from Ben Lowe, who lives nearby.
“It’s very sad, it’s really sad. I live 10 to 15 doors away. I also have two children,” he said.
“There are a lot of kids here. It’s a very family-oriented area. I can’t say I know them. [the two victims]I felt it was important to show these kids some respect.
“I don’t know what happened, but at the end of the day, two children are dead and I think they should be respected.”
Asked how the community was feeling following the incident, Mr Lowe added: “It’s pretty bleak, everyone’s really gloomy.
“People continue to do their jobs, take their children to school and so on, but there is a very melancholy atmosphere.”
‘Absolutely heartbreaking’
Stafford MP Leigh Ingham wrote that the incident was “absolutely heartbreaking news for our community”.
He added on his Facebook page: “My thoughts go out to the family affected by this incident.
“Thank you as always to our tireless emergency services who I know will work incredibly hard to gather all the facts.
“In times like these, I ask everyone to be careful to avoid online speculation.”
Forensic officers were investigating the scene where the children died on Sunday. [BBC]
Det Insp Kirsty Oldfield said on Sunday: “We are working hard to better understand what led to these two children tragically losing their lives.”
He asked people not to speculate about what happened as it was “distressing” for the family and could hinder police investigations.
“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community. There is no greater threat to the public,” he added.
Police were called to the home by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, who arrived at the scene shortly before 7.30am (BST) on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that nothing could be done to save [the children]”They were confirmed dead at the scene,” a spokesman said.
The incident was also referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said there had been “recent police contact” before the children’s deaths.
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