Mum accused of murdering 3-year-old

Mikaeel Kular. Photo / AP

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular has appeared in court today charged with the boy's murder, prosecutors said.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, was also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice, and just before 4pm attended a brief private hearing before Sheriff Frank Crowe at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Ms Kular, who was charged under her married name of Adekoya, made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody following the hearing.

Mikaeel Kular went missing from his home in Ferry Gait Crescent, Edinburgh, on Thursday, and more than 200 volunteers joined police and other agencies searching for the little boy.

His remains were found shortly before midnight on Friday, in an area of woodland behind a house in Kirkcaldy, Fife where Ms Kular and her five children used to live.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham announced late on Saturday that a 33-year-old woman, now confirmed to be Ms Kular, had been arrested and charged.

He said: "During the course of today, the investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has continued at pace.

"Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death."

A major police investigation was launched to trace Mikaeel when his mother said the family awoke at 7.15am on Thursday morning to find the child missing.

Ms Kular had told police Mikaeel was last seen when she put him to bed at about 9pm on Wednesday.

Forensic teams worked throughout the weekend at the back of the bungalow some 25 miles away in Fife where the body was found.