A TRAGIC three-year-old girl has been pictured after her mum was charged with murder.
Hope McGrath was discovered by police at home in Leeds, West Yorkshire, following a concern for welfare report.
West Yorkshire PoliceHope was discovered dead at home in Leeds[/caption]
Tragically the youngster could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene on July 30.
Her mum Pippa McGrath today appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with murder.
The 47-year-old spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address during the hearing.
Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl KC said:”A post mortem on Hope has not taken place. It is to take place tomorrow.
“The heart of the issue will be a toxicology report.”
The court heard psychiatric reports would be prepared to establish McGrath’s fitness to plead.
A provisional trial date was set for February 24, with a further hearing set to take place on September 3.
McGrath is accused of murdering her daughter between July 26 and July 30.
McGrath, was understood to have moved with Hope to Austhorpe Close, in Leeds, just weeks before the tragedy.
Neighbours suggested that the youngster had suffered with a disability and required the use of a wheelchair, but was often heard playing in her back garden.
McGrath was taken to hospital before later being remanded into custody on suspicion of murder.
West Yorkshire Police previously said it was treating Hope’s death as an “isolated incident”.
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hope’s death.
“A photograph of the three-year-old has been released by her family. I would ask that people respect their privacy at this extremely difficult time.”
Cops raced to Austhorpe Court after concerns for the tot’s welfare were raised Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
