A man accused of killing a two-year-old girl at her home has been remanded into custody after making his first appearance at court.

Detectives investigating the death of Maya Louise Chappell charged 26-year-old Michael Daymond with murder on Thursday.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of assault with intent to cause serious harm following an incident in Shotton Colliery last Wednesday.

Read more: Heartbroken dad pays tribute as toddler injured in Shotton Colliery incident dies in hospital

The Northern Echo: Maya in her onesie Maya in her onesie (Image: Maya in her onesie)

Maya was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after emergency services responded to reports of a medical incident at Milton Grove.

The toddler spent two days in intensive care at the RVI in Newcastle but died on Friday.

Police upgraded the investigation to a murder inquiry and the suspect appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

Mr Daymond, who appeared in the glass fronted dock of court one, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

The defendant was bearded and unkempt, dressed in a grey sweatshirt.

Flanked by two security officers, he acknowledged two women who sobbed during the hearing as they sat in the public gallery.

Mr Daymond’s solicitor David Smith made no representation on behalf of his client.

An application for a section 45 order to be put in place, which would have prevented Maya's name to be used in proceedings, was considered until members of the press objected.

Mr White was then asked to send the case to Teesside Crown Court, which he did.

The next hearing will be on Monday and Mr Daymond has been remanded into custody until then.

Before he was taken down, Mr Whit said: "You will be remanded in custody until Monday when you will appear at Teesside."

Police have said a 23-year-old woman has also been arrested in connection with the inquiry and bailed pending further investigation.

Durham Constabulary said it would not reveal what the woman was arrested on suspicion of for operation reasons.

On Friday evening, at 7.30pm, a candlelit vigil is being held by members of Maya’s family at Consett Football Club.

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