Bristol deaths: Woman detained under Mental Health Act

BBC The police cordon in Sea MillsBBC
Police were called to Blaise Walk in Sea Mills on 18 February, where they found the three dead children

A 42-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder after three children were found dead has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The bodies of Fares Bash, seven, Joury Bash, three, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash were discovered in Sea Mills, Bristol, on 18 February.

Avon and Somerset Police said the woman was detained after being assessed by medical experts.

The investigation into the deaths is continuing, the force added.

In a statement on Friday afternoon police said: "The woman was taken to hospital to be treated for non life-threatening physical injuries after being arrested at a property in Blaise Walk in the early hours of Sunday 18 February.

"She continues to receive treatment for those injuries.

Facebook Fares and Joury Bash, two of the children who died in Sea MillsFacebook
Police said Fares (L), his sister Joury and their nine-month-old brother Mohammed could not be saved

"On Wednesday, 28 February, she was assessed by medical professionals and the decision was made to detain her under the Mental Health Act."

The three children died from knife wounds, police confirmed last week.

They were remembered at a vigil last week, with hundreds of people gathering at Sea Mills Square to lay flowers and light candles.

'This awful tragedy'

Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: "We know the public are still trying to come to terms with this awful tragedy and the community remains together and united in their grief over the heartbreaking deaths of Fares, Joury and Mohammed.

"We continue to be incredibly thankful for the support and kindness that has been shown by the people of Sea Mills and beyond.

"Everyone affected by this tragedy remains in our thoughts and we continue to provide specialist support to the children's next of kin.

"We have promised throughout our investigation to provide updates and be transparent about any significant developments, to help everyone with understanding what happened, and we'll continue to do so."

People attending a vigil in Sea Mills
Hundreds of people gathered in Sea Mills to remember the three children at a vigil last week
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