A five-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed at his home in Coventry has been named as David-Mario Lazar.
The boy, known to his family as Mario, was found with serious injuries at his home in the Earlsdon area of the city just before 6pm on Tuesday.
A 49-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of his murder has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
She is known to the family and David-Mario was in her care at the time of the incident, police said.
In a statement, his parents, Cristina and Dorinel, said he was “the most beautiful child in the world”.
“He was a very happy boy. He was always smiling from when he woke up to when he went to sleep,” they said. “He had so much energy. He loved to dance and sing. He is all of our hearts, all our love and is everything to both of us.”
Despite the best efforts of police officers and paramedics to save him, David-Mario was pronounced dead at the scene.
A postmortem examination has confirmed he died from a stab wound.
West Midlands police said on Thursday that the property on Poplar Road remains cordoned off while officers carry out a forensic scientific examination. They are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Supt Ronan Tyrer, from Coventry police, said: “Our investigation continues into the desperately sad death of David-Mario. Our specialist officers are supporting his parents and we cannot comprehend the grief they must feel. Our thoughts are with them.
“David-Mario’s school has been informed and they are contacting parents and carers of their pupils. The community are shocked and saddened by this young boy’s death.
“We continue to urge people to avoid speculation on social media or sharing posts which could ultimately add to the family’s distress.”
