Jeremiah Regis murder: Sadness at 'absolute tragedy' of young Wolverhampton boy's death
City councillors and MPs have spoken of their shock after a mother and stepfather were charged with murdering a two-and-a-half-year-old Wolverhampton boy.
Little Jeremiah Regis was found with severe injuries just before midnight on Sunday evening and died soon afterwards in New Cross Hospital.
His mother Sindyann Regis, aged 25, and stepfather Chevaze Mcgregor, aged 27, have been charged with his murder.
Emergency services had been called to a flat in Wednesfield High Street where he was found with injuries to his head and body.
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A post mortem revealed he died from 'peritonitis as a result of blunt force trauma to his abdomen'.
Regis, of High Street, Wednesfield, and Mcgregor, 27, of Annabelle Court, Rainham, Essex, spoke to confirm their names at a brief hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday.
They had been held in custody to appear again this morning at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Last night Wolverhampton Council leader Roger Lawrence described the child's death as 'an absolute tragedy' while Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds said: "I am horrified and deeply saddened."
Police remained at the flats last night as the investigation into Jeremiah's death got under way. The family lived at a block of four flats near the Compton Hospice shop on the High Street.
One woman, aged 32, who works on the High Street which backs onto the flats where they lived, said she saw the family regularly as she would go to the rear of the premises for a cigarette break.
The mother-of-five said: "He was such a lovely, smiley little boy. He was always smiling. It's unbelievable, really sad."
Neighbours from nearby flats were also left stunned by the boy's death.
Kim Harper, who works on the CT Furniture market stall on the High Street, not far from the flat, said: "The loss of a child in any community is heartfelt. It's just dreadful. A child is a sad loss for anybody."
Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden said today: "Any case involving the death of a child is particularly tragic."
Wednesfield North councillor Phil Bateman: "It is horrendous, really very sad news."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police on 101 or alternatively information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers line 0800 555111.
