Four held in Britain after body of child found

British police are questioning four people after finding the body of a young child.

British police are questioning four people after finding the body of a young child.

An undated picture of Troy Simpson
An undated picture of Troy Simpson

West Midlands Police officers searching for missing six-month-old Troy Simpson discovered the body in an area of rough ground in the Smethwick area of Birmingham, just 300 yards from the baby's home.

He was reported missing by his family on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said: "Police officers searching for missing baby Troy Simpson can confirm that they have recovered the body of a young child from a culvert off Stanhope Road.

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"The identity is not yet known, the death is being treated as suspicious and a post-mortem will be held in due course. Inquiries are continuing."

Police are continuing to question two men and two women - some thought to be related to Troy - over his disappearance. The four people were detained on Tuesday after Troy was reported missing from his home in the Uplands.

At a press conference yesterday, Supt Andy Bebbington said the child disappeared after being put to bed on Monday night and was reported missing when his grandmother noticed he was not in his bed the following morning.

Troy lived with his mother and grandmother although his mother was not thought to have stayed at the house on the night he disappeared. Police refused to say whether Troy's mother was among the four arrests, although some of the individuals in custody were said to be "related" to the youngster's family.

PA