Northumbria Police received a report of a concern for a child in the Houghton-le-Spring area shortly after 11pm on Monday 21 April. A two-year-old girl was taken to hospital for treatment of serious head injuries and died on Thursday. Her next of kin are being supported by specially-trained officers, the force said. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "The investigation is at a very early stage, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the girl's death. “Anyone with information is asked to get in touch by sending us a direct message on social media, or using live chat and report forms on our website. “Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101. "Please quote reference number: NP-20250421-1075." Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know... and the colony has decided to stay.","thumbnailUrl":["https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1920x1080/p0l4y6wg.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1232x1232/p0l4y6wg.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/688xn/p0l4y6wg.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p0l4y6wg.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-04-19T06:13:15.553Z","duration":"PT2M44S"}'I have 16 feral cats living in my back garden'This video can not be played CloseMichelle Bean began feeding hedgehogs with her neighbours in Houghton-le-Spring Billy Big one day brought a smaller female cat along with him and over the coming months litters of kittens began to appear Feral cat populations need to be controlled, external or they will grow exponentially and negatively impact the quality of life and survival rate of the colony "We already tried loads of charities around and then we got put in touch with Kay from Consett Cat Rescue," Michelle said Consett Cat Rescue's Kay Lyness said: "The one passion I have got in life is neutering cats I just think these cats deserve better." Video produced by Alex Challies & Evie Lake Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore more'I have 16 feral cats living in my back garden' Video 00:02:44'I have 16 feral cats living in my back garden' 2:44Up Next Volunteers rescuing and rehoming stray cats 00:01:29Volunteers rescuing and rehoming stray cats 1:29'Not lost' cat visits supermarket car park every day 00:01:28'Not lost' cat visits supermarket car park every day 1:28Editor's recommendationsWatch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:40Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:40Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. 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Click here to find out more Tom Meighan Tom Meighan is bringing his band to the Northeast as part of an intimate album celebration tour before heading off to perform a string of Festival dates across the UK and Europe.  an indie music icon and one of the finest frontmen of his generation and genre delivers electrifying performances featuring tracks from his solo albums The Reckoning and the newly released Roadrunner Tom Meighan  - The original Kasabian Frontman  Age 14+ under 18s must be accompanied by an adult Please note: The event information above has been added by the organiser Whilst we try to ensure all details are up-to-date we do not make any warranty or representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information shown because we believe true fans deserve a fairer and smarter way to discover events they love.” 0.08);border-bottom-width:thin;margin-top:35px;margin-bottom:35px;border-color:#4e4e4e;margin-top:16px!important;margin-bottom:16px!important;}© 2001 - 2025 Skiddle Ltd | Skiddle is a registered trademark | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Feral cat populations need to be controlled ShareSaveAspiring football reporter meets BBC commentatorBBC Sunderland's Nick Barnes meets 12-year-old Ben, an aspiring young sports commentator. 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