Two men have been arrested after the death of a two-year-old boy who is thought to have accidentally overdosed on his father’s methadone.

Police confirmed yesterday that a 30-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of neglect. Another man, 33, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug. Both have been freed pending further inquiries.

Brandon Davis was rushed to hospital along with his two brothers, Lewis, aged 3, and Kyle, aged 4 months, after they mistakenly swallowed the heroin substitute.

The eldest child remains in a stable condition, while the youngest is thought to be staying in hospital for precautionary checks.

Doctors were unable to save Brandon, after emergency services were called to an address in Walkers Heath, Birmingham, last Tuesday.

West Midlands Police have refused to say if the arrested men are related to the children.

Paul Norman, 28, said his sister, Mary Norman, 22, was inconsolable and “absolutely traumatised” over the loss of her son, who was taken to hospital after methadone was reportedly mistaken for cough medicine. He said: “The family has been trying to support Mary as much as possible – we are all there for Mary.

The two surviving boys are believed to have been placed in the care of Birmingham City Council.

“Following the conclusion [of any legal proceedings] there will be a serious case review,” a spokesman for the council said.

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