Murder investigation after girl, 3, found dead
The body of a three-year-old girl was found at a property in Leeds, police say
- Published
A murder investigation has been launched after a three-year-old girl was found dead in a house in Leeds.
West Yorkshire Police said they received a report of concern for safety of a young child on Wednesday at about 11:05 BST.
Officers attended an address on Austhorpe Court in Colton and the girl's body was found inside.
A woman at the property was taken to hospital and has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson said: "We are treating this as an isolated incident and are not seeking anyone else in connection with it.
"I understand that such a tragic incident as this will cause shockwaves in the local community and that there will be speculation about what has happened."
Police asked anyone with information to get in touch.
Neighbours have expressed their shock over the girl's death
Neighbours living on the quiet cul-de-sac near the Colton Retail Park told of their shock following the girl's death.
Residents said emergency services had been called to their street on Wednesday, but many were now learning what had happened.
Donald Anderson, who has lived on Austhorpe Court for 15 years, said he was "completely flabbergasted".
"It's a quiet little street," added the 94-year-old retired design draughtsman.
"We never have problems like that."
Mr Anderson recalled seeing the girl pushing a toy walker along the street.
Her death was "an awful situation," he said.
Another couple of retirement age living on Austhorpe Court said the youngster would stroke their dog if they passed each other.
"It's awful," one of them said of the news.
The house where the girl was found remained under police guard on Thursday.
A direct neighbour, Margaret, said her daughter had noticed the curtains in the house had been left drawn when she visited her on Monday.
She said she was "horrified" by the girl's death.
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