Police confirm identity of tragic Thornton toddler

POLICE SCOTLAND have formally named the child who died in Thornton on Saturday night as Liam Johnson or Fee, aged two.

His family said in a statement released by the police: “Liam was a happy-go-lucky little boy, with blonde hair, big blue eyes and a cheeky smile.

“He was very much loved by his family and will be deeply missed. Liam had his whole life ahead of him and we are devastated at our loss.

“We would like to thank our friends for their continued support and for all the teddies and flowers left as a tribute to Liam outside the family home, which has provided us with some comfort.

“We request privacy and time to grieve at this very sad and difficult time.”

A post-mortem to establish the cause of death of the Thornton toddler is believed to have been carried out.

Neither Police Scotland nor the Crown Office would comment further at this time on the results of that post-mortem.

Meanwhile, Scottish SPCA officers had been seen at the home of the two-year-old to remove the family’s pets.

Liam’s mother Rachael, 29, her partner Nyomi, 27, and Rachael’s seven-year-old twin sons Matthew and JJ shared their rented upper floor flat with nine snakes, rats and dogs.

The family are believed to be staying with friends at this time. Despite a rumour mill going into overdrive, there has been no publicly made official report into the cause of death of the youngster, who was said to be severely autistic.

The family moved from Ryton, Gateshead, to Fife several years ago. Liam’s “nana”, Janice, said the youngster was full of life on the family’s last visit to Tyneside.

Liam was pronounced dead following what police described as a “tragic incident”.

His death was being treated as “unexplained”. Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

Nyomi and Rachael tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in Kirkcaldy on June 16 2012 and Rachael, whose maiden name is Trelfa, took her partner’s surname.

It is understood the women, both unemployed, moved to Scotland from Ryton in 2011 after Rachael separated from the boys ’father.

Former bank worker Janice said she visited her daughter and her family in Scotland about once a month.

Just two weeks ago Nyomi, Rachael and the boys had visited her Turner Close home.

A post-mortem was due to take place on Tuesday with a report to be prepared for a procurator fiscal.

Tributes left outside the family home.

Liam died following a ‘tragic incident’.