A man has been arrested after a mother and her baby were found murdered at their home in Birmingham on Sunday morning. The bodies of the 25-year-old woman and her nine-month-old son were discovered by police at around 10.30am at the house on Chells Grove in Billesley, in the south of the city.
An investigation was launched and a 28-year-old man was arrested shortly after 5pm in the Dudley area on suspicion of both murders. He was known to the victims and police have said that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the killings.
West Midlands Police said that officers were alerted to the incident after concerns were raised about the safety of the occupants of the house, which was cordoned off on Sunday as forensic investigators examined the scene.
The police force said that "due to previous contact between police and the person in custody", the force had informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission, "who will look into any police involvement in due course".
Superintendent Jo Chilton, appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area late on Saturday or early on Sunday to come forward, said: "This is a terrible crime and my thoughts are with the family of the victims who have been left devastated by today's events.
"We have a man in custody and are not looking for anyone else, but I am keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone who may have seen anything which could assist our investigation."
A serious case review and a domestic homicide review are expected to take place in due course, in line with routine procedure when a child dies in such circumstances.
Superintendent Andy Shipman, from Birmingham South Local Policing Unit, added: "I want to reassure the community that a man has been arrested and we believe there is no ongoing threat to the public. If anyone has any concerns whatsoever, I would urge them to call 101 and speak to their local neighbourhood policing team."