A seven-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy have been found dead in Stoke-on-Trent as a woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
It comes after police were first called to a car wash on Campbell Road just after 2pm on Sunday following reports of a stabbing involving a man and a woman.
A man in his 40s was taken to hospital by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service and has since been released.
Officers then went to a home on Flax Street and found two children unresponsive and injured inside.
Despite receiving treatment from paramedics, both, who have not been named, died at the scene.
A 49-year-old woman who was initially arrested over the stabbing, has been further arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Staffordshire Police said it has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct “due to recent police contact”.
Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan said: “We can now confirm that the two people who lost their lives are an 11-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl.
“Our priority was to inform the family before confirming the ages of the children. They are currently being supported by specially trained officers.
“The woman arrested is known to the children. We don’t believe there to be any wider threat to the public at this time.”
She continued: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the children. I cannot imagine the pain and shock they are feeling.
“We also understand the concern felt locally around this incident and the speculation around what has happened.”
Detectives have appealed for any information and are particularly interested in any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area of Flax Street and Campbell Road between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, and to hear from anyone in the area at the time.
DCI Hannan added: “Our focus remains on finding out more about what happened and supporting the family at this deeply distressing and tragic time.”
