The body of a child is found buried in the back yard of the home during a week-long police search

The body of a child was found buried in the back yard of a house after a week-long police search.

West Midlands Police officers were searching a property in Handsworth when remains were discovered.

The force confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the body was that of a child.

An autopsy will be carried out to clarify the cause of death. No further details on the child’s age or gender were released.

Police outside the Handsworth property where the body of a child was discovered. The search lasted a week

Police said a man and woman were arrested on December 9 on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and on a separate count of willful neglect

A spokesman for the force said: “Officers searching the garden of a property in Handsworth have discovered what are believed to be human remains. The body is believed to be that of a child; An autopsy will be carried out in due course to determine the cause of death.

“A 40-year-old man and 41-year-old woman were arrested on December 9 on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and on a separate count of willful neglect. Both were charged with negligence and remanded in custody.

“The investigation into the offense of causing or allowing the death of a child is continuing. The current occupants of the Clarence Road property are aware of the search but are not associated with the investigation.’

The current occupants of the Birmingham property are not connected to the investigation.