A 33-year-old woman will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today after being arrested and charged in connection with the death of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular.
Police have not named the woman but it has been widely reported that Rosdeep Kular, the mother of the missing Edinburgh boy, was being questioned by officers after a child’s body was discovered in Fife.
The development was announced late on Saturday night by Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, following the formal identification of Mikaeel.
A major police investigation was launched when Mikaeel was reported missing from his home in Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh, on Thursday.
More than 200 members of the public joined police and other agencies to search for the youngster in the Drylaw area of the capital on Friday.
But, shortly before midnight, officers searching for Mikaeel found human remains in Kirkcaldy.
Mr Graham expressed his thanks to all those who had helped the police in recent days.
More than 500 calls were made by the public to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel’s disappearance, he revealed.
He said: “I would like to again recognise the overwhelming public assistance that Police Scotland have received during the course of this very complex investigation.
“This includes his family and friends, with whom our thoughts remain.
“Over 200 civilian volunteers joined the search for Mikaeel within the Pennywell, Muirhouse and Silverknowes areas of Edinburgh during adverse weather conditions and cold temperatures.
“In addition, our dedicated number received in excess of 500 calls, with people wishing to provide information to help establish Mikaeel’s whereabouts.
“I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to you all for your vital support.
“My thanks also go to the various external search agencies who provided essential resources, equipment and personnel during this inquiry.
“Police Scotland is immensely grateful for your contribution.
“Inquiries continue, led by the major investigation team of Police Scotland, supported by a range of local and national specialist assets from across the country. I ask that anybody who has any information that they feel would assist the investigation contacts the police.”
Mikaeel’s body was removed from a wooded area behind a property in Dunvegan Avenue, Kirkcaldy, on Saturday afternoon.
A tearful Pandeep Kular – Mikaeel’s 37-year-old aunt – said: “We’re devastated. I’m with the kids.”
She said she had not spoken with her sister, adding “I’m not aware of anything. I’m just with my family in the house.
“That’s all I can say. We’ve just lost him.”
Dr Bangarpet Krishnaswamy, who is married to Mikaeel’s grandmother, gave an emotional tribute to those who helped search for the little boy.
He said: “I would like to thank all the public and the police for the search, which sadly turned out to be futile.”
Throughout the day, communities in north Edinburgh and Fife gathered to show how they had been touched by the recent events. Floral tributes, soft toys and candles were placed at a small park in the Drylaw area, round the corner from the flat where Mikaeel lived.
Residents in Dunvegan Avenue, Kirkcaldy – around 25 miles away – spoke of their shock at seeing the police activity on their street.
Michael Woods, 53, who lives in nearby Floors Place, said he had been following the developing police investigation but was surprised to find officers at the end of his street.
“First it was in Edinburgh, then they said Fife, then Kirkcaldy and now it’s here almost on my doorstep. It’s unsettling,” he said.
“When I heard it was here I just about jumped off my chair.”
In Edinburgh, around 500 people turned out on Saturday night for a memorial service at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church, less than a mile from the home Mikaeel shared with his mother, twin sister and three other siblings.
There was a large queue to get in to the church well in advance of the service.
The crowd ultimately filled the 300-capacity building and an extra overflow room. Men, women and children of all ages attended the memorial gathering. Some very young children clutched soft toys, a handful of people held lanterns and, at the end of the service, several people carried out the remains of candles they had been holding.
Some people hugged each other and a Chinese lantern floated in the sky above the chapel.
Akeel Umar said: “I think everyone in the community is very sad. Today is an opportunity for everyone to come together on an issue that touches everyone.”
Nasim Azad added: “We are a community, we care. The fact that we’re here today is because we care. It’s as simple as that.”
Also attending the service was Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir.
He said the recent events had shattered the whole area but also galvanised community spirit.
Derbyshire Police said yesterday they had assisted colleagues at Police Scotland by arresting a man on suspicion of sending offensive tweets in relation to the disappearance of the toddler. A spokesman said: “Officers arrested the 26-year-old Heanor man this morning on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence.
“Members of the public in Edinburgh had complained about the content of some Twitter messages linked to the disappearance of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular.
“The man was questioned and released on police bail while the Crown Prosecution Service considers the case.”
Police Scotland confirmed a 19-year-old man had also been arrested, with the assistance of Hampshire Police, over remarks “of a racist nature” allegedly posted to the social media site.
He had been bailed while inquiries continued.
A spokesman said that, in both cases, the remarks made online had been ported to the police by concerned members of the public.
He added that officers from Police Scotland then liaised with colleagues from Hampshire Constabulary and Derbyshire Constabulary to identify the individuals responsible for the posts.
Police Scotland’s Edinburgh divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, said: “Any reports of racist, offensive or abusive comments made online will be thoroughly investigated. If you commit an offence we will investigate it and you will be prosecuted.”