Woman, 37, charged with murder of four-year-old Amelia Brooke Harris

A 37-year-old woman has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of four-year-old girl Amelia Brooke Harris.

Carly Ann Harris is accused of killing Amelia Brooke Harris, who died following an incident at a property in Trealaw, Rhondda, South Wales, on Friday night.

During the brief hearing at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court, Harris, who was flanked by two dock officers, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth.

The court heard that the charge was so serious that Harris’s case could only be dealt with at the Crown Court and that magistrates had no power to consider bail.

Harris, of Brithweunydd Road, Trealaw, was remanded in custody to appear before a judge at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday.

Russell Blake, chairman of the bench, told her: ‘As this is an indictable-only offence, you will be remanded into custody as you have no right to apply for bail today.’

The force is supporting the family with specially-trained family liaison officers.

Earlier, Amelia Brooke’s family had paid tribute to a ‘fun-loving, caring and bubbly little girl’.

In a statement released by South Wales Police, the little girl’s family said: ‘On Friday night we tragically lost our baby girl Amelia Brooke Harris.

‘A loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, great granddaughter, niece and cousin.

‘Amelia was beautiful both inside and out – and was a fun-loving, caring and bubbly little girl.

‘She was taken far too early from us and had her whole life ahead of her. Words cannot convey how we are feeling at this moment in time. We know our lives will never be the same again.’

The force is supporting the family with specially-trained family liaison officers.

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Detective Superintendent Richard Jones, of South Wales Police, said: ‘Our thoughts go out to the family and friends in what is a traumatic incident.

‘I would like to thank them for speaking with us and assisting our investigation, at what is clearly a very difficult time for them.

‘I would also like to thank the local community for their patience, given the significant police activity in the area over the past 36 hours.

‘In addition, I want to remind members of the public to demonstrate responsibility when using social media.

‘Some information has been both upsetting for family members and could compromise the investigation, and future court proceedings.’