Mother charged with murder of three year old

A mother appeared before magistrates today charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter, who was found dead at a house containing a hazardous substance.

Iman Omar Yousef, 24, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date-of-birth during a three-minute hearing at Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court.

Yousef was charged last night with the murder of Alia Ahmed Jama, found dead in Milverton Road, Erdington, Birmingham, on Saturday.

The defendant, who gave her address as Milverton Road, was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

West Midlands Police said earlier today that officers were still attempting to establish the exact nature of the dangerous substance found at the property.

A police spokeswoman said: "Extensive medical and forensic testing is continuing today to ascertain what the substance is and whether it caused or contributed to Alia's death."

Yousef was arrested after the youngster's body was discovered at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

A post-mortem failed to ascertain the cause of Alia's death.