Toddler stabbed to death in UK flat
A toddler has been stabbed to death and her mother is in a serious condition in hospital following an incident at a flat in the UK today.
Local people said they had raised concerns for the welfare of the girl - believed to be aged two – who was found at a flat in East London at around 12.15am.
Her mother, believed to be in her 20s, was found suffering stab wounds and was taken to hospital where she is in a serious condition. Her injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Scotland Yard are treating the incident as suspicious and officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Command are investigating. A post-mortem examination will take place at Great Ormond Street hospital in London later today.
Shocked residents said they had voiced concerns about the mother’s strange behaviour to police, as well as raising concerns about the welfare of the child.
They said the woman, who is black and spoke French, was a member of a DVD rental club at the nearby Thames Superstore off-licence.
Huseyin Alacayir, 30, who works at the store, said she had been barred recently after he had gone to the police about her erratic behaviour.
“At first she was acting like a normal person,” he said.
“But the lady wasn’t happy because she was looking sad when she came in.
“She was telling me I was her husband and I needed to go home because the kid needed me. She was shouting.
“I gave my statement to the police. I have no idea what happened last night... I feel very sad. We told police that something was going to happen to the kid at the end of the day.”
Ranjan Sinnathurai, manager of the Lucky Wines store, said the woman was always “making trouble” and locals were very worried for her daughter.
Scotland Yard refused to elaborate on the allegations, saying: “We are not going into details at present.
“The investigation is at an early stage. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the background of those involved will be investigated fully as part of the inquiries.”
The block of flats where the the woman had lived with her daughter for around eight months was cordoned off by blue and white police tape while the entrance was guarded by an officer.
