A community is in shock after a murder inquiry was launched following the tragic death of a one-year-old boy.

A man in his 30s and woman in her 40s who were arrested by detectives investigating the toddler’s death in Darlington have now been bailed.

Neighbours said crime scene investigation teams have been at the Frosterley Drive property over the weekend.

Emergency services attended a family home after the alarm was raised at around 9am on Friday.

One man, who lives near the house, said: “I was coming home from the shop and I saw the forensics in the kitchen all dressed in white.

“That is when I realised it was serious. It really hit home.

“We knew about the little boy so when I saw the forensics there I knew it meant he was probably dead.

“It is quite scary to think that this is happening yards from your home.”

The Northern Echo: Police at the scene on Frosterley Drive in Darlington Police at the scene on Frosterley Drive in Darlington (Image: Northern Echo)Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device with a subscription to The Northern Echo. Click here 

One woman, who has children of her own and lives on the same street, said: “When I got home there was police still in the street. They were parked outside and there were forensics going in.

“I know it was serious for the baby to be taken away and for the police still to be there.  

“I don’t know anything about the couple who live there though.”

Police confirmed devastating news of the boy’s death at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

The woman said: “I felt sick when I found out. It is horrendous. It does not bear thinking about.

“You see stuff like this in the news and read about it in magazines but you never ever think it is going to be on your doorstep.”

Another neighbour said the boy’s death was upsetting for everyone in the area and she had been unable to sleep since news of the tragedy broke.

One neighbour, a mother-of-one, said: “It is devastating, especially when you have kids yourself.

“It hurts your heart. It is awful. It is a weird feeling. It makes me feel sick.”

On Sunday an unmarked police car remained outside the house and members of the community began leaving flowers in memory of the little boy.

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Durham Constabulary attended the scene on Friday with medics from the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance, which landed on the green at Alexandra Street.

A force spokesperson said: “Sadly, the child passed away on Saturday afternoon.

"A woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing serious injury to a child.

"A man in his 30s was also arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing serious injury to a child, and was further arrested for murder.

"Both have been released on conditional bail while further inquiries are made to establish the circumstances of the death.”

The Northern Echo: Frosterley Drive, Darlington.