Baby and two other children found dead in Bristol as woman held for ‘murder’

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children were found dead at a property in Bristol.

Officers attended a 911 call in Blaise Walk in Sea Mills at around 12.40pm on Sunday, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Three small children were found on the property and were pronounced dead a short time later.

On Monday, the children were named by Avon and Somerset Police as siblings: Fares Bash, seven-year-old, three-year-old Joury Bash and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash.

The age of the young victims was confirmed by police.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested and is in police custody at the hospital.

Avon and Somerset Police have notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following previous contact.

A statement read out at the scene on Monday morning by Vicks Hayward-Melen, Chief Inspector of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We were first called by a member of the public early on Sunday, February 18th , which was concerned about the well-being of the inmates. Officers arrived around 12:40 p.m. and found three children whose lives could not be saved.

“Forensic post-mortem examinations will now be carried out on the children to determine the cause of death and it is important that we do not provide any further details until the relevant processes have been carried out.” Post-mortem examinations are not expected to be completed until the middle to 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 ten-month-old boy.

“Her next of kin have been informed and are receiving the necessary help and support from specialist family liaison officers.

“A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for her injuries. Her condition is not life-threatening and she remains in police custody at this time.”

On Sunday evening there was a police cordon across Blaise Walk.

There were police vehicles and uniformed officers conducting door-to-door inquiries in surrounding properties.

A woman who did not want to be named described the detainee as “lovely”.

She said the family had two boys, about eight and six months old, and a girl, about four years old.

“She was so happy when she had this little boy,” she told the PA news agency.

“We were so happy for her, we came over and gave presents. I’m very surprised because she was really gentle and really lovely.”

“She always had a smile on her face. She had a really difficult time after giving birth.”

She said the woman was Sudanese, as was her husband.

A 42-year-old taxi driver from Bristol said he last saw the mother and her three children two weeks ago.

He said: “She was happy. Her children were all happy.”

The man said the family was part of the Sudanese community in Bristol.

He added: “She is a very nice person. It’s very sad.”

Sea Mills Primary School announced it would close on Monday morning and reopen at 1.30pm.

Marvin Rees, the directly elected Mayor of Bristol, said: “It is almost impossible to put into words the devastating news this afternoon from Sea Mills, Bristol.

“My thoughts are with everyone who knew these three little children. We will work with schools, the community and Avon and Somerset Police to support people.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of three children in Sea Mills today.”

“The deaths of these children are heartbreaking. My thoughts are with everyone 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. She assumes there is no further danger to the public.”

“The question arises as to how such an appalling incident could have happened and what could have been done to prevent it, but for now I am asking people to allow the police to investigate.”

Darren Jones, Labor MP for Bristol North West, said: “I am deeply saddened by this tragic news from Sea Mills today.

“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 are treating this as an isolated incident.”

An IOPC spokesman said: “We were informed of this tragic incident in Bristol this afternoon by Avon and Somerset Police, who informed us that there had been previous contact with police earlier this month.”

“We have requested a paper referral with further information regarding the previous contact and will review this upon receipt to determine whether further action is required on our part.”