Two children found dead inside home named as woman arrested on suspicion of murder

A girl and a boy at the centre of a murder investigation in Stafford have been named by Staffordshire Police. Meraj Ul Zahra, aged two, and Abdul Momin Alfaateh, three, were both found unresponsive with injuries inside a home in Corporation Street on the morning of Sunday, October 12, police said.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A 43-year-old woman, from the Stafford area, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, remains in custody while inquiries continue.

A police cordon also remains in place in Corporation Street.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is routine following earlier police contact, Staffordshire Police said.

Police were called to the home at around 7.30am by West Midlands Ambulance Police.

Detective Inspector Kirsty Oldfield at Staffordshire Police said earlier today: "We are working hard to understand more about what happened leading up to these two children tragically losing their lives.

"We ask that people do not speculate at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends and could hinder our inquiries.

"We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community. We don't believe there is wider threat to the public at this time."

Anyone with any information that could help with the investigation is asked to get in touch by calling 101, or via Live Chat on the Staffordshire Police website, quoting incident number 147 of 12 October.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The ambulance service said to have been called to a private address at 7.26am and sent two ambulances and two paramedic officers to the scene.

A spokesman said: "On arrival of ambulance staff we discovered two patients, both children. Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead at the scene."