No family turned up to the inquest of a seven-year-old boy whose body was 'frozen to death' after being left outside a house in Birmingham.

Hakeem Hussain died from cardiac arrest after he was left in the cold outside the Birmingham property.

His mother Laura Heath, 35, and her uncle, Timothy Busk, 56, have been arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child.

Both have been bailed while police continue to investigate.

An inquest into his death started today at Birmingham Coroner's Court but no one from his family attended.

Hakeem Hussain died on Sunday November 26 after suffering suspected hypothermia

Emergency services were called to Mr Busk's home in the Nechells area of Birmingham on Sunday morning and found Hakeem in cardiac arrest.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.40am on Sunday November 26, inside the property.

There were reports Hakeem, who suffered from asthma, may have succumbed to hypothermia and frozen to death after spending time outside in the cold but this has not been confirmed.

A postmortem into the cause of death proved inconclusive and further tests are to be carried out to ascertain how he died.

Area Coroner Emma Brown said because a criminal investigation was ongoing she could not set a date for the full inquest. She adjourned it until January 26 next year for an inquest review.

Birmingham city council said Hakeem was known to the authority and the multi-agency Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board was deciding whether to launch a review of his case.

Laura Heath (left) and Timothy Busk (right) were arrested and released after Hakeem was declared dead at the property in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council said in a statement: 'We can confirm the child was known to us and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him.

'We are working with police and health to establish all the circumstances leading to his death. The multi-agency Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board is aware of the case and will decide whether it meets the criteria for a serious case review.'

Hakeem was a pupil at nearby Nechells E-ACT Academy.

Headteacher Julie Wright released a touching statement to the Year 3 pupil on behalf of staff and pupils.

She said: 'Hakeem was a most beautiful little boy, a great friend to many staff and children with a wicked sense of humour and an infectious giggle.'He was a warm and generous-hearted soul who was talented across many areas of the curriculum but especially so in music and the arts.

'His performance as the 'Christmas Star' in the year two nativity play last year will stay with me forever as he totally stole the show with his clear speaking voice and stage presence.

'There wasn't a dry eye in the house as he delivered his lines with poignancy, grace and humour.

'The twinkle in his beautiful eyes was as bright as the stars in the sky, and our love for him will shine out forever, from all of his Nechells family.'

She added: 'All of this week children and staff have been remembering what a great friend Hakeem was to them, and we are putting together a book of our happy memories culminating in a whole academy assembly to celebrate his many gifts and talents.

'Hakeem will be sorely missed by us all.'