Two children have been revealed as the victims of a suspected double murder in Stoke-on-Trent, police said.
The victims were a seven-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, Staffordshire Police said after the killings on Sunday.
A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of the children’s murder after officers found their bodies at a home in Flax Street.
Police were first called to a nearby car wash to reports of a knife attack involving a man and a woman.
A man in his 40s was taken to hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Detectives then attended the home in Flax Street where they made the grim discovery and arrested the woman at the scene.
A spokesman said: “Two people were found inside, both with injuries and unresponsive. Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, both of them died at the scene.”
Police have sealed off the street and an adjoining alleyway where a child’s potty can be seen.
Staffordshire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to the force’s recent contact.
Detective Superintendent Nicki Addison said earlier: “This is a tragic case and we are working hard to understand more about what happened leading up to these two people losing their lives. We ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends, and could hinder our enquiries.
“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community and further afield. We know that the woman arrested is related to the people and we don’t believe there is wider threat to the public at this time. Cordons are currently in place at a home on Flax Street and at a car wash on Campbell Road.”
