Girl, 7, 'dies of starvation' in the UK

Two people have appeared in court in England 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.”