‘Lovely’ girl, 5, found dead at home pictured – as mum charged with murder

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A five-year-old girl who was found dead at home has been pictured.

Alijah Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene on Leybourne Avenue, Ealing at 12.56pm on Tuesday, September 14, My London reports.

Mum Martina Madarova, 41, has been charged with murder and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 16.

A neighbour on the street earlier described Alijah as lovely and shy.

They told The Sun: "I'm so shocked because she was such a lovely little girl. She was shy and didn’t always answer me."

Ms Madarova appeared at court on Marylebone Road in central London, wearing a grey jumper and grey trousers, on Thursday, September 16.

She spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth at the short hearing.

The mum has been remanded in custody ahead of her appearance at the Old Bailey on Monday, September 20.

Met Police confirmed Alijah's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

A post-mortem examination has been scheduled for Thursday.

Homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service responded to a call to the family home on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the five-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, the Met said.

A statement from the police this week explained they had received "concerns for the welfare of the occupants" at the house.