Dead boys 'were stabbed in chest'

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Two young boys found dead at their home in north Manchester both died of single stab wounds to their chests.

Romario Mullings-Sewell, aged two, and his three-month-old brother, Delayno, were found dead in Cheetham Hill on Wednesday evening.

Post-mortem examinations confirmed that both were killed by stab wounds they suffered, police said on Saturday.

Their 21-year-old mother, Jael Mullings, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Separate investigations are under way into why the family was no longer assigned a social worker and the police response to initial 999 calls about concerns for their welfare.

It emerged on Friday that Ms Mullings had earlier this year left her son Romario at a medical practice, prompting social services involvement with the family.

Events on 12 November 1320 GMT - GP surgery dials 999 expressing concern for family's welfare1350 GMT - Surgery makes second 999 call to police1450 GMT - Officers check on house on Kilmington Drive, then search local area1745 GMT - Police called back to house and find boys' bodies

A full assessment was carried out and a social worker was assigned to the family for about five months, Pauline Newman, director of Manchester City Council Children's Services revealed.

The boys' great-grandmother, Gloria Buckle, said she believed the children might still be alive if social workers had not been withdrawn from the case.

"Had they stuck with her and given her whatever help she needed, then perhaps them two boys would still be here today, things would not have got that bad," she said.

Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) involvement in the case is also being examined by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Officers were called at about 1320 GMT and 1350 GMT on Wednesday by someone from a medical practice, who dialled 999 to raise concerns for the family's welfare.

Police arrived at the house on Kilmington Drive at about 1450 GMT, an hour after the second call, after being given a number of different addresses for Ms Mullings.

When there was no answer at the door they searched the surrounding area to find Ms Mullings, who neighbours had described as acting in a distressed state.

Officers were later called back to the property at about 1745 GMT, where they found the bodies of the boys.