Two arrested on suspicion of 'wilfully ill-treating child' after boy, 7, found dead in Birmingham

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of "wilfully ill-treating a child" after a seven-year-old boy was found dead in a Birmingham home.

The body of the child was found at a property on Cook Street, Nechells, at around 7.30am on Sunday (26 November) and the home remained taped off by police on Tuesday afternoon.

A 56-year-old man and a woman, 35, were arrested and later arrested by West Midlands Police and then released under investigation.

A spokesman for the force 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."

The boy was a year three pupil at Nechells Primary E-Act Academy, and his classmates have been offered counselling following the tragic news.

In a letter sent to parents of children at the primary school headteacher Julie Wright said: "It is with deep regret that I am writing with the sad news that one of our Year three pupils passed away on Saturday.

"This loss to our academy community is sure to raise many emotions and concerns for our staff and pupils.

Wright added: "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 post-mortem examination is due to take place on Friday (1 December).

A spokesperson for E-Act, which runs academies throughout the country, said: "We were deeply saddened by the death of one of our pupils, which happened out of school.

"We are providing support for our pupils through grief and bereavement councillors who specialise in working with young children."