A baby was among three young children found dead inside a home in Bristol before a woman was arrested for murder; It was learned that the police visited the house weeks before.
The agents found the ten-month-old boy along with a three-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy in the house of Blaise Walk in the suburban neighborhood of Sea Mills in the early hours of Sunday morning. The police had been informed of his concern for his well-being.
A 42-year-old woman, said locally to be a Sudanese national who has lived in the city since 2017, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She is being questioned on suspicion of murder.
Avon and Somerset Police said had notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the incident because officers had had previous contact with the family. The IOPC said this contact took place earlier this month.
One woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “She was lovely, her children were lovely, they were good people.” I think she was having a hard time with her newborn.
An aerial photograph showing a forensic shop in the back garden of a Bristol house, which also contained a trampoline and various toys.
A police cordon today at the scene in Sea Mills, a northern suburb of Bristol.
Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen spoke to the media this morning
The neighbor said the two older children had attended the local Sea Mills elementary school. The school announced it would remain closed this morning and reopen at 1:30 p.m.
A 42-year-old taxi driver from Bristol said he had last seen the mother two weeks ago. He said: ‘She was happy. All her children were happy.”
The man said the family was part of the Sudanese community in Bristol. And he added: ‘She is a very nice person. She is very sad.’
Others described the woman as “really gentle” and “really lovely” who “always had a smile on her face.”
The force has not confirmed the woman’s name or her relationship to the children who were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after officers arrived at around 12.40am on Sunday. The cause of the children’s death has not yet been confirmed.
A heavy police presence remained in the area much of yesterday, with photographs showing part of the road cordoned off, with several police cars and a forensic team at the scene.
A meeting was held last night at a local church in memory of the children, locals added, while a local playgroup announced it would be closed today.
Tributes have since poured in from those within the Sea Mills community who were shocked by the tragedy.
The force has not confirmed the woman’s name or her relationship with the children. Pictured: Officers at the scene in Blaise Walk on Sunday.
A police cordon outside a house in Sea Mills, Bristol, on Sunday afternoon.
Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said in an update today: “We were first called by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of the occupants in the early hours of Sunday, February 18. Officers arrived at around 12.40am and They found three children whose lives could not be saved.
‘Forensic post-mortem examinations will now be carried out on the children to establish the cause of death and it is important that we do not give any further details about this until the appropriate processes have been carried out. Post-mortem examinations are not likely to be concluded until the middle or end of this week at the earliest.
“Formal identification has not yet been made, but we believe the victims are a seven-year-old boy, a three-year-old girl and a 10-month-old boy. Their families have been informed and are receiving all the help and support they need from of specialized family liaison officers.
“A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital due to the injuries she had sustained. Her condition is not life-threatening and she remains in police custody at this time.
Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West, added on social media: “I am deeply saddened by this tragic news from Sea Mills.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the children’s friends and family, and my thanks to our emergency services who responded. Avon and Somerset Police will remain in the area but believe this is an isolated incident.
All three children were pronounced dead at the scene, Avon and Somerset Police said. In the photo: police at the house.
A police van seen on Sunday after officers were called to the scene at 12.40am.
Local councilor Henry Michallat, who represents Sea Mills, said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news coming out of Sea Mills.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the children’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time. “I thank the emergency service staff who have responded.”
Avon and Somerset Police Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford added: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of three children in Sea Mills.
‘The death of these children is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who knew and cared for these children and with the local community, who I know will be affected.
‘Police have made an arrest and believe this is an isolated incident. They have assessed that there are no further risks to the community in general.
“There are questions to be asked about how such a horrific event occurred and what could have been done to prevent it, but for now, I ask that people allow the police to investigate.”
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers attended a welfare concern call on Blaise Walk, in Sea Mills, on Sunday 18 February at around 12.40am.
‘Tragically, three young children who were inside the property were pronounced dead a short time later.
‘A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody in hospital.
“As is customary in these circumstances, we have notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous police contact.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘This afternoon we were notified of this tragic incident in Bristol by Avon and Somerset Police, who informed us that there had been previous police contact earlier this month.
“We have requested a paper referral with more information about the previous contact and once received, we will evaluate it to determine if further action is necessary on our part.”
The Sea Mills community was shocked by the incident. The local community playgroup in the area will be closed tomorrow as a result of the tragedy.
Writing on Facebook Sea Mills Community Playgroup said: ‘Due to the tragic events in our community the playgroup will be canceled tomorrow morning.
“Our hearts go out to the family and their friends, neighbors, school friends and the community at large.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘We were notified of this tragic incident in Bristol yesterday afternoon by Avon and Somerset Police, who informed us that there had been previous police contact earlier this month.
“We have requested a paper referral with more information about the previous contact and once received, we will evaluate it to determine if further action is necessary on our part.”