Police said the family of a five-year-old boy who was killed in Coventry are “devastated”, as a 49-year-old woman who was known to them was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police were called to the Earlsdon area of the city just after 5pm on Tuesday where the boy, who was just short of his sixth birthday, was found with “significant injuries”.
Officers confirmed that the woman they had arrested was known to the family. Supt Ronan Tyrer, from West Midlands police, said that despite extensive efforts from police officers and paramedics, “unfortunately nothing could be done to save him”.
“The boy’s parents are being supported by family liaison officers during this heartbreaking time,” he said.
He added that officers were called to a local Co-op shop as part of the incident.
Police said the 49-year-old woman remained in custody, and that they were not looking for anyone else.
Tyrer asked the public to show consideration for the family of the boy, who were “clearly devastated”, and asked people to “consider the impact images shared on social media can have” and not to share posts containing speculation about the death.
The incident took place on Poplar Road in Coventry, which runs parallel to the street where an armed man barricaded himself in his home with his eight-year-old son earlier this month.
“This is the second incident is as many weeks, unfortunately,” Tyrer said. “The two incidents are completely unrelated, and a significant police presence will remain in the area.”