A father and his girlfriend have been arrested on suspicion of murder after his six-year-old boy died of head injuries.
West Midlands Police, who were called to a property in Solihull at around 3pm on Tuesday, rushed Arthur Hughes to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but he died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
His father Tom Hughes, 27, and his girlfriend Emma Tustin, 31, are now being held for questioning on suspicion of murder by detectives over the unexplained death.
Last night a crime scene remained in place outside the semi-detached home and floral tributes and a blue toy car were laid in the front garden in memory of the boy.
The first pictures have emerged of the six-year-old boy Arthur Hughes who died from serious head injuries at a Birmingham home
Tom Hughes, 27, and Emma Tustin, 31, are being held after Arthur Hughes, six, (pictured) died from serious head injuries sustained at their home in Solihull
Emma Tustin, 31, (pictured) is being held for questioning on suspicion of murder by detectives over the unexplained death
Tustin, who along with Hughes has been named locally, is believed to also go by the name of Emma Dutton.
One neighbour Warren Powell, 47, a builder, said: ‘It is just horrible. He was a nice kid. I used to call him ‘cheeky boy’ because I didn’t know his name.
‘He used to walk by with his dad while I was cleaning the car. He was a car nut like me and used to ask about the car.’
Another resident nearby said: ‘He was a nice little boy. He used to come to speak to my other half when he was playing outside.’
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: ‘A man and woman have been arrested after a six-year-old child from Solihull was taken to hospital with serious head injuries on Tuesday.
‘Sadly the boy died in the early hours of the following morning.
‘Police were called to the property at around 3pm and an investigation has now been launched to determine how the child came about his injuries.
‘A post mortem examination will take place in due course.
The six-year-old boy, who died in the early hours of Wednesday morning, was found with serious head injuries at his home in Solihull, west Midlands on Tuesday
A police investigation is now under way and a crime scene remains after the six-year-old’s death
Tonight floral tributes and a blue toy car were laid in the front garden in memory of the boy
Arthur Hughes is pictured as a younger child with his father Tom Hughes, 27, who has now been arrested
Following the incident, neighbours told of their shock at news of the boy’s death. Arthur is pictured with his father Tom
‘A cordon remains in place at the property and the man, aged 27, and the 31-year-old woman presently remain in custody.’
Following the incident, neighbours told of their shock at news of the boy’s death.
One resident said: ‘The police have been here for a few days and rumours were going around that the little kid had died.
‘We were all so worried about him. It’s so sad. He was a beautiful boy – always laughing and smiling.
‘It’s so, so sad. There’s always something going on around here.’
A cordon remains in place at the property as police continue with their investigations into the boy’s death
Today one neighbour spoke of their sadness at the child’s death and described him as ‘a beautiful boy – always laughing and smiling’
Another neighbour on the quiet residential street said: ‘The boy had only been living here for about seven months. Everyone is horrified by it, the road is usually pretty peaceful.
‘I can’t remember the lad’s name – I just used to call him ”cheeky” as he was always smiling.
‘He used to stop to talk to me and my dogs when he walked past.’
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.