Child’s body found in garden search after man and woman charged with neglect

A man and woman, both in their 40s, have been charged with neglect

Police at a property in Handsworth, Birmingham, where searches have been taking place (PA)

The body of a child has been found during the search of a garden in Birmingham. The discovery follows a tip-off to police that a child had died at an address in Handsworth in 2020.

Officers subsequently began a search at the property but stressed the current occupants of the home were not subject to the investigation.

On Sunday, the force confirmed that suspected human remains were discovered.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death, a West Midlands Police spokesperson said.

A man, aged 40 and a woman aged 41, were arrested on 9 December on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and a separate case of wilful neglect.

Both have been charged with neglect and have been remanded in custody.

Rear of properties in Handsworth, Birmingham, where West Midlands Police are investigating the death of a child (PA)

The investigation into the offence of causing or allowing the death of a child continues.

Police said the male suspect had been remanded following his appearance in court, while the woman is due to appear in court at a later date.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “We have acted swiftly on information and our inquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what has happened.

“I understand that this will come as a shock to the local community but I would ask you not to speculate on the circumstances. We would encourage anyone who has any information to get in touch.”