Tributes on Ferry Gait Crescent in Edinburgh, Scotland, near the home of Mikaeel Kular, after a child’s body was discovered by police searching for the missing three-year-old. Photo: PA WireA 33-year-old woman will appear in a Scottish court today after being arrested and charged in connection with the death of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular.
Police did not name the woman, although it has been widely reported that Rosdeep Kular, the mother of the missing Edinburgh boy, was being questioned by officers after a child’s body was discovered in Fife, miles from his home.
The development was announced late on Saturday by Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who said: “During the course of today, the investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has continued at pace. Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel’s death. The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.”
A major police investigation was launched to trace Mikaeel after he was reported missing from his home in Edinburgh’s Ferry Gait Crescent on Thursday.
More than 200 members of the public joined police and other agencies in their searches for the youngster in the Drylaw area of the capital on Friday.
Officers searching for the three-year-old found remains – now identified as those of Mikaeel – in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Graham expressed his thanks to all those who aided police in recent days.
More than 500 calls were made by the public to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel’s disappearance, he revealed.
He said: “I would like to again recognise the overwhelming public assistance that Police Scotland have received during the course of this very complex investigation. This includes his family and friends, with whom our thoughts remain.
“Over 200 civilian volunteers joined the search for Mikaeel within the Pennywell, Muirhouse and Silverknowes areas of Edinburgh during adverse weather conditions and cold temperatures.”
Graham said he would be unable to answer further questions about the investigation.
Mother of missing boy was reportedly being questioned
Mikaeel’s disappearance sparked a major hunt involving hundreds of police officers and local volunteers.
On Saturday his body was removed from a wooded area behind a property in Dunvegan Avenue, Kirkcaldy.
Throughout the day, communities in north Edinburgh and Fife gathered to support each other and show how they had been touched by the recent events.
Floral tributes, soft toys and candles were placed at a small park in the Drylaw area, round the corner from the flat where Mikaeel lived on Ferry Gait Crescent.