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Birmingham Council took Khyra's siblings into care after her death

Posted: 22 May 2008 | Subscribe Online

writes Corin Williams

Birmingham Council took the siblings of Khyra Ishaq into care after it heard about her death, it said today.

In a statement, which follows strong criticism of the council's child care services by a local MP, the council said it was granted emergency protection orders for Khyra's five siblings soon after being told of her death, on Saturday.

It added: "The care and welfare of the siblings remains our priority and the children have now been placed in foster care."

Khyra was found in the early hours of 17 May by paramedics, along with her brothers and sisters, in a reportedly emaciated state. She died later that day in hospital.

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Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhmaza, 29 – believed to be Khyra’s mother and step-father – have been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and have been remanded in custody. They will reappear at Birmingham Crown Court on 28 May.

MP's criticisms

Speaking to national news media, Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood accused Birmingham Council's children's services department of “huge incompetence”.

Mahmood claimed that the family were visited by an "educational social worker" after the children were taken out of school ten weeks ago, but no follow-up visits were made. He called for the council to review its child care procedures.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Birmingham safeguarding children board will review this case as they do with every child death, and is meeting tomorrow to discuss this case.”

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There has been widespread media speculation that Khyra died from malnutrition, based on reports from neighbours. West Midland Police said that the results of a post mortem were not yet known.