Plunge death of two-year-old girl in Bradford now being treated as murder

The girl and a 36-year-old woman, were found unconscious on the ground at the back of a house in Delamere Street, Marshfields, at about 9.15am yesterday.

Both were taken to hospital, but the child was pronounced dead a short time later.

The woman remains in hospital, where she is in a critical condition.

A forensic post-mortem examination carried out last night revealed that the girl died of injuries consistent with a fall.

A 36-year-old woman, who police have confirmed is the child's mother, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Today, a solitary police officer stood guard at the house in Delamere Street.

Blue and white police tape was tied to the tidy garden fence where bouquets of flowers had been laid in sympathy.

At the back of the semi-detached red brick house a white forensic tent was set against the back wall of the house below the upper window which was closed and blinds drawn, although a light could be seen through a small bathroom window.

Forensic officers in white suits could be seen moving in and around the back of the property.

One woman said people on the street could always hear a baby crying from the house and that people talked about it.

Resident Yasmin Akhtar said: “We are shocked that this has happened to the little girl and we are sad for the mother. Something terrible has happened but we haven’t an idea what.”

Another resident, Nazia Hussain, said: “I am upset for the child.

"The mother was always very quiet. She seems nice but never really spoke to anyone.

"We’ve never known anything as horrid as this to happen in our street before. No-one seems to know much about the mother, where she came from or what’s happened that morning.”

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Morgan, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, but are appealing for anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."