Mum charged with manslaughter after son, 7, found dead outside house in cold
A mum has been charged with manslaughter after her seven-year-old son was found dead outside in freezing conditions four years ago.
Hakeem Hussain was found by paramedics outside a house in Nechells, Birmingham, on the morning of November 26, 2017.
Emergency services discovered the young boy at around 7.30am in Cook Street but he had suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
His mother Laura Heath, 39, has now been charged with manslaughter and four counts of cruelty to a child.
She will appear before Birmingham Magistrates tomorrow.
Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, Mark Paul, said: ‘Following the death of seven-year-old Hakeem Hussain in Birmingham in November 2017, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised West Midlands Police to charge Laura Heath with one count of manslaughter and four counts of cruelty to a child.
‘The CPS authorised charges following careful consideration of all the evidence presented to us by the police as a result of their investigation.
‘The alleged offences occurred between 12 April 2017 and 26 November 2017.’
Hakeem, from Long Acre, was a Year 3 pupil at Nechells E-ACT Academy school – just yards from where he was found.
His headteacher, Julie Wright, said following his death: ‘Hakeem was a most beautiful little boy, a great friend to many staff and children with a wicked sense of humour and an infectious giggle.
‘He was a warm and generous-hearted soul who was talented across many areas of the curriculum but especially so in music and the arts.’
She recalled how there ‘wasn’t a dry eye in the house’ when he sang ‘Christmas Star’ at a school nativity the year before his death – a performance she said would stay with her ‘forever’.
Ms Wright added: ‘Hakeem will be sorely missed by us all.’
One neighbour said previously: ‘He was the sweetest little kid. Would always be full of beans and would wave and say hello. Just a lovely little soul.’
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