Two charged with neglect after girl's death

Two people have appeared in court charged with neglect after a seven-year-old girl died, police said today.

The girl, from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, died of starvation, ITV News reported.

It said a neighbour in the Leyton Road area described seeing children at the home grabbing bread which had been thrown out for birds.

West Midlands police refused to confirm that starvation was the cause of death.

In a statement the force said: "We can confirm that a seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Saturday 17 May, where she was pronounced dead."

The statement added: "Her cause of death has not been confirmed at this stage.

"Police are conducting inquiries and a man aged 29 and a woman aged 33 have been charged with neglect and appeared before Birmingham Magistrates on May 19.

"They have been remanded to appear again on 28 May.

"As proceedings are active, we cannot comment further at this time."

The couple who appeared in court were Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29. They are believed to have been Khyra's mother and stepfather.

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: "We are deeply saddened by the death of this child and our sympathies go to the child's family and friends at this difficult time.

"This death is now the subject of a police inquiry and Birmingham City Council are fully supporting the investigation.

"We are therefore unable to make any further comment."