Mother, 32, and her 36-year-old lover are charged with murder after ‘cheeky monkey’ toddler dies just hours after celebrating his second birthday
- The pair were charged with murder after the death of mother’s two-year-old son
- A post-mortem examination concluded that he died as a result of head injuries
- Currie and O’Brien will appear before Doncaster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow
A mother and her lover have been charged over the murder of a two-year-old boy who died hours after celebrating his birthday.
Sarah O’Brien, 32, and Martin Currie, 36, were charged with murder on Friday, after the death of Keigan Ronnie O’Brien on Thursday.
Kiegan, who was described by his mother as a ‘cheeky monkey’, was rushed to hospital from a property in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on January 8, where he died a day later.
A post-mortem examination carried out last night concluded that he died as a result of head injuries.
The emergency services reported that the toddler had been in cardiac arrest at the home
Sarah O’Brien, 32, (right) and Martin Currie, 36, (left) were charged with murder on Friday, after the death of Keigan Ronnie O’Brien on Thursday
The two-year-old is suspected to have been murdered hours after celebrating his second birthday in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Pictured: A police car outside the property that is at the centre of the murder investigation
Currie and O’Brien will remain in police custody until their appearance at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
It was revealed that emergency services were called to the property in the Adwick area on Wednesday at around 11am.
The ambulance service had reported that the toddler had been in cardiac arrest at the home on Bosworth Road.
He was taken to hospital where he died on Thursday afternoon.
Pictures taken at the scene yesterday morning showed a police car parked outside the terraced property where the suspected murder is believed to have taken place.
One shot of the kitchen window showed a multicoloured streamer with the words ‘happy second birthday’ written across it while another picture showed two bouquets of flowers left outside the house in memory of the boy.
A buggy and children’s toy could also be seen in the front garden.
Keigan Ronnie O’Brien, two, died yesterday after being rushed to hospital from a property in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on January 8
Following his death, a multicoloured streamer with the words ‘happy second birthday’ could be seen stuck to a window of the property
A child’s pushchair and a toy was seen outside the Doncaster home as emergency services carried out their investigations
Neighbours have spoken of their anger and sadness over the incident, which has sent shock-waves through the community.
Retail worker Mark Hillary, 43, said: ‘It’s shocking that this happened to such a young boy.
‘I’m devastated this happened – I just can’t believe it. It made me sick.’
David Brown, a 54-year-old auditor who lives next door to the house on Bosworth Road, described his neighbour as a ‘quiet’ and ‘nice’ woman who ‘kept to herself’.
Police stood guard outside the property in Doncaster that is at the centre of the murder investigation
Police remained at the property this morning where the suspected murder is believed to have taken place
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Axe, said: ‘Specialist officers have updated Keigan’s family and are continuing to support them as they try to come to terms with and digest what has happened over the last 48-hours.
‘I would also like to please reiterate my request for people to be mindful of what they are posting across social media networks.
‘It’s really important to refrain from posting any speculative comments and details about the case, to avoid further distress to Keigan’s family and allow them the privacy to grieve, but to also allow the criminal proceedings to progress through the courts unhindered.’