Mental health detention over children’s deaths in Stafford

A woman who was arrested on suspicion of murdering two children, aged two and three, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Meraj Ul Zahra, two, and Abdul Momin Alfaateh, three, died after they were found injured and unresponsive at a home on Corporation Street at about 07:30 BST on Sunday.

A 43-year-old woman from Stafford, who is related to the children, was arrested on Sunday and has since been detained after being assessed by medical professionals, Staffordshire Police said.

Neighbours have told the BBC of their shock after learning what had happened, with one woman describing it as “dreadful”.

Another resident, Maddison Simcock, said: “I saw all the police and ambulances going up, and I was so worried.

“My mum rang me telling me [what had happened], and I said, ‘On my street?’. It was crazy.”

Jeffrey Marfo said he was “really devastated” after he learnt of the children’s deaths.

“The whole area has become very, very tense. We don’t know what’s happening,” he added.

Police remained at 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 sad, it’s just really sad. I live 10 to 15 doors away. I’ve got two children myself,” he said.

“There are a lot of children round here. It’s a very family-orientated area. I can’t say that I know them [the two victims], I just felt it was important to mark a bit of respect for these kids.

“I don’t know what’s happened, but at the end of the day, two children have died, and I think they should be respected.”

Asked how the community was feeling in the wake of the incident, Mr Lowe added: “It’s quite sombre, everyone is really sombre.

“People are carrying on, doing their thing, taking their kids to school and whatnot, but there is a very melancholy atmosphere.”

MP for Stafford Leigh Ingham wrote that the incident was “absolutely heartbreaking news in our community”.

She added on her Facebook page: “My heart goes out to the family affected in this case.

“Thank you as always to our tireless emergency services, who I know will be working incredibly hard to gather all the facts.

“At times like this, I would ask that everyone is careful to avoid speculation online.”

Police said a cordon remained in place at the address on Monday with a number of officers still in the area.

“We would like to thank the local community for their understanding and help at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.

Police were called to the home by West Midlands Ambulance Service, which attended shortly before 07:30 BST on Sunday.

The incident was also referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said there had been “recent police contact” prior to the children’s deaths.