Woman charged after seven-year-old boy found dead outside his home in freezing conditions

A woman has been charged with manslaughter and child cruelty after a young boy was found dead outside a house in freezing conditions four years ago.

Hakeem Hussain, seven, was found outside a house in Birmingham in November 2017. He had suffered a cardiac arrest.

The Crown Prosecution Service has now confirmed that Laura Heath, 39, has been charged with one count of manslaughter and four counts of cruelty to a child in relation to Hakeem's death.

She was due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on Thursday.

Mark Paul, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Complex Casework Unit, 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.

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"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."

Julie Wright, headteacher at Nechells Primary Academy, where Hakeen was a pupil, paid tribute to the seven-year-old, saying: "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.

"His performance as the ‘Christmas Star’ in the year two nativity play last year will stay with me forever as he totally stole the show with his clear speaking voice and stage presence."

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