Detectives investigating the murder of an infant boy have said he died from multiple stab wounds.

The 23-month-old’s body was found at a house in Manchester after police were called to reports of a domestic incident in the early hours of Sunday. It later emerged officers had been called to the same property on Friday, responding to a similar disturbance.

Detectives have arrested a 30-year-old woman on suspicion of murder. She remains in hospital being treated for serious injuries, police said. A 31-year-old man who was arrested on Sunday has been released without charge.

DI Carl Jones, of the major incident team, said on Tuesday: “This is a truly distressing investigation and we are doing everything we can to find out exactly what has happened. The family wish for their privacy to be respected at this time and I’d ask that people do not speculate around the boy’s identity to allow them to grieve and come to terms with this tragedy.

“We have one person under arrest but need those who have not yet passed on information to come forward.”

Police were called to the rented two-bedroom semi-detached house near Manchester airport in Wythenshawe just after midnight on Sunday after reports of a domestic incident.

When officers arrived, they discovered that a man and woman had left the property and gone to hospital. It was then that officers found the body of the toddler.

Police said the boy’s family did not wish him to be identified and that they were being supported by specially trained officers.

Greater Manchester police said on Sunday they had referred the case to their professional standards department and the Independent Police Complaints Commission due to their prior visit to the property.