Neighbours pay tribute to Keigan O'Brien, 2, tot at centre of Doncaster murder probe

The toddler has been named as Keigan O'Brien who is understood to have died just days after his second birthday.

A heartbreaking 'happy second birthday' banner remains in the window of the house in Bosworth Road, Adwick, where two people were arrested yesterday.

Keigan died yesterday after being rushed to hospital.

A 36-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, both from the Adwick area of Doncaster have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently being questioned by detectives.

Neighbours have this morning spoken of their anger and sadness over the incident, which has sent shock-waves through the community.

Retail worker Mark Hillary, 43, said: "It's shocking that this happened to such a young boy.

"I'm devastated this happened - I just can't believe it. It made me sick."

David Brown, a 54-year-old auditor who lives next door to the house on Bosworth Road, described his neighbour as a "quiet" and "nice" woman who "kept to herself".

He described the moment on Wednesday that emergency services, including a helicopter, descended on the property as "shocking" and a "massive commotion".

Dad-of-two David added: “We can’t believe this happened on our doorsteps. It’s shocking. We hadn’t heard any disturbance.

“The woman has only moved into the house with her kids last summer. She has two older daughters. She’s a single mum, we never saw the dad around, and she always seemed very pleasant but kept herself to herself.

“She recently had a new partner on the scene.”

South Yorkshire Police Detective Chief Inspector James Axe said: "The loss of any life is tragic, and the death of this little boy is undeniably devastating.

"Our thoughts are with those who are affected and our specialist officers will continue to support them.

"We have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this investigation.

"Two people are in custody and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances leading up to this child's death."

Detective Chief Inspector Anna Sedgwick, from Doncaster, said: "I know a case such as this will have an impact both within the local community and more widely.

"We will have officers in the area today and encourage anyone who has any concerns, or would like to speak to someone, to approach a member of our team.

"I would also please ask that people are mindful of what they post on social media, particularly in relation to any speculative comments, and keep in mind the impact this could have on the boy's loved ones during this incredibly difficult and traumatic time."

Anyone with concerns or information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 293 of 8 January 2020.