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Mikaeel Kular's mother detained after boy's body found in Fife Mikaeel Kular's mother detained after boy's body found in Fife
(about 5 hours later)
The mother of the missing Edinburgh boy Mikaeel Kular has been detained by police after they discovered a body at a relative's home in Fife they "strongly believe" to be that of the missing three-year-old.The mother of the missing Edinburgh boy Mikaeel Kular has been detained by police after they discovered a body at a relative's home in Fife they "strongly believe" to be that of the missing three-year-old.
Police have cordoned off the area surrounding a bungalow in Kirkcaldy believed to belong to the sister of Mikaeel's mother, Rosdeep Kular, 33. Kular has been held by police for questioning about the discovery.Police have cordoned off the area surrounding a bungalow in Kirkcaldy believed to belong to the sister of Mikaeel's mother, Rosdeep Kular, 33. Kular has been held by police for questioning about the discovery.
The dramatic disclosure came early on Saturday morning when Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham of Police Scotland told a press conference that a body had been found at the property, 20 miles from Mikaeel's home in north Edinburgh.The dramatic disclosure came early on Saturday morning when Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham of Police Scotland told a press conference that a body had been found at the property, 20 miles from Mikaeel's home in north Edinburgh.
Announcing that further searches of streets around the boy's home scheduled for Saturday had been called off, Graham said: "The investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has been wide-ranging and fast-moving.Announcing that further searches of streets around the boy's home scheduled for Saturday had been called off, Graham said: "The investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has been wide-ranging and fast-moving.
"As a result of inquiries, the body of a young child was recovered in Fife just before midnight. We strongly believe this to be the body of Mikaeel."As a result of inquiries, the body of a young child was recovered in Fife just before midnight. We strongly believe this to be the body of Mikaeel.
"A person has been detained in connection with the recovery of the body and members of Mikaeel's family have been informed of the recovery."A person has been detained in connection with the recovery of the body and members of Mikaeel's family have been informed of the recovery.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this time. I would like to thank everyone who has responded to these highly unusual events by assisting with searches and other activities in support of this investigation.""Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this time. I would like to thank everyone who has responded to these highly unusual events by assisting with searches and other activities in support of this investigation."
His announcement came hours after Graham admitted they feared the worst and were "gravely concerned" after failing to find any clue to his whereabouts for nearly 48 hours.His announcement came hours after Graham admitted they feared the worst and were "gravely concerned" after failing to find any clue to his whereabouts for nearly 48 hours.
Speaking early on Friday evening, he said police now feared his disappearance was due to "a criminal act". He had not been seen at his nursery at Flora Stevenson primary school since the start of the Christmas holidays: his mother said her son had been ill.Speaking early on Friday evening, he said police now feared his disappearance was due to "a criminal act". He had not been seen at his nursery at Flora Stevenson primary school since the start of the Christmas holidays: his mother said her son had been ill.
Under Scottish police procedures, Kular, a single parent who has four more children, can be detained for an initial 12 hours for questioning without being formally arrested or charged, and police can apply for a further 12-hour extension for questioning.Under Scottish police procedures, Kular, a single parent who has four more children, can be detained for an initial 12 hours for questioning without being formally arrested or charged, and police can apply for a further 12-hour extension for questioning.
As the investigation into his disappearance entered its second night, Graham had said detectives had started a full criminal inquiry running in parallel with the public missing persons search around his home in north Edinburgh.As the investigation into his disappearance entered its second night, Graham had said detectives had started a full criminal inquiry running in parallel with the public missing persons search around his home in north Edinburgh.
That included specialist detectives and Police Scotland investigative units drafted in from across the force area.That included specialist detectives and Police Scotland investigative units drafted in from across the force area.
"It's entirely possible that Mikaeel has left of his own accord and all of our actions are attempting to cover that possibility," Graham told reporters on Friday."It's entirely possible that Mikaeel has left of his own accord and all of our actions are attempting to cover that possibility," Graham told reporters on Friday.
"It is, however, entirely possible that Mikaeel has been subject to a criminal act and an investigation has been established as a twin track [inquiry] to ensure that that eventuality is being and will be fully explored.""It is, however, entirely possible that Mikaeel has been subject to a criminal act and an investigation has been established as a twin track [inquiry] to ensure that that eventuality is being and will be fully explored."
Mikaeel was last seen at 9pm on Wednesday, after apparently being put to bed by his mother in their flat in Drylaw, Edinburgh. Police were then told he had disappeared by the time she went to wake him up at 7.15am on Thursday.Mikaeel was last seen at 9pm on Wednesday, after apparently being put to bed by his mother in their flat in Drylaw, Edinburgh. Police were then told he had disappeared by the time she went to wake him up at 7.15am on Thursday.
There was a brief surge of hope after witnesses reported seeing a young boy matching Mikaeel's description running down a street in nearby Pilton on Thursday morning, but no further leads emerged afterwards.There was a brief surge of hope after witnesses reported seeing a young boy matching Mikaeel's description running down a street in nearby Pilton on Thursday morning, but no further leads emerged afterwards.
Graham said that the inquiry had always considered a criminal link from the start.Graham said that the inquiry had always considered a criminal link from the start.
Superintendent Liz McAinsh said members of the boy's family, including his father, had been co-operating with the investigation. They had interviewed his nursery workers and many people with previous contact with the boy.Superintendent Liz McAinsh said members of the boy's family, including his father, had been co-operating with the investigation. They had interviewed his nursery workers and many people with previous contact with the boy.
Hundreds of volunteers, police and search and rescue teams had spent all day searching homes, paths, buildings and the nearby shoreline on the Firth of Forth.Hundreds of volunteers, police and search and rescue teams had spent all day searching homes, paths, buildings and the nearby shoreline on the Firth of Forth.
It remains unclear exactly when Mikaeel disappeared or how he left the block of flats, which has a locked main entrance.It remains unclear exactly when Mikaeel disappeared or how he left the block of flats, which has a locked main entrance.
Mikaeel's father, who is understood to be estranged from his mother, has been questioned voluntarily by police.Mikaeel's father, who is understood to be estranged from his mother, has been questioned voluntarily by police.
"All of his family have been very, very helpful to the police," McAinsh said. "They continue to help us with our inquiries."All of his family have been very, very helpful to the police," McAinsh said. "They continue to help us with our inquiries.
"Obviously we are as keen to get as much information from them because we just never know who might hold that vital bit of information that might help us find him.""Obviously we are as keen to get as much information from them because we just never know who might hold that vital bit of information that might help us find him."
A memorial service has been arranged at St Andrew's Muirhouse parish church in Edinburgh at 7pm. Robert Pearson, chairman of the Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse association, said all local residents are invited.
Pearson said in a statement: "I, like everyone else in north Edinburgh, will be saddened to learn that police have found the body of a child in the search for Mikaeel. Over the last few days this community, as well as people from all over the country, has come together to search for him.
"Whilst it can be easy for us to all to jump to conclusions about what has happened, we need to remain calm and allow the police to continue with their investigation."
People have begun leaving teddies and floral tributes the Kirkcaldy bungalow as well as outside the Kular family home.
Lisa Maxwell, 42, from nearby Skibo Place, laid flowers close to the bungalow at the centre of the police investigation.
The mother of two said: "I woke up today and my partner Stuart had a text saying the little boy had been found so I expected good news. But when I turned on the TV I realised it was not.
"When he was missing, and having young children myself, straight away I put myself in those shoes trying to imagine what it's like. I wanted to help, even though I'm not in the Edinburgh area."
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