A man and a woman have been charged as detectives continue to search the garden of a property in Birmingham for human remains after the death of a child in 2020.
Detectives launched an investigation after receiving information relating to the death of a child at a house in Clarence Road, Handsworth, West Midlands Police said.
A 40-year-old man charged with neglect has been remanded after appearing at court, while a woman, 41, will appear at court in due course facing the same charge.
The pair, whom the force have not named, were arrested on December 9 on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and wilful neglect.
The present occupiers of the property in Clarence Road are aware of the search but are not connected to the investigation, the force added.
Detective inspector Joe Davenport, from the public protection unit, said: “We have acted swiftly on information and our enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what has happened.
“I understand that this will come as a shock to the local community but I would ask you not to speculate on the circumstances.
“We would encourage anyone who has any information to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to get in touch by calling 101 quoting log 1943 of 11 December.
