A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after a one-year-old boy died and his twin sister was critically injured in an attack in Finsbury Park.
Bidhya Sagar Das, 33, believed to be the children’s father, was arrested last night in Hackney and is in custody.
Police found the toddlers critically injured after being called to a flat in Wilberforce Road at 11.10pm on Saturday.
The boy died in the early hours of Saturday morning and the girl is fighting for her life.
Das was hunted by police after fleeing on Saturday evening when his partner Cristinela Datcu discovered their two children had been battered with a hammer at their north London home. Their Romanian mother was heard screaming as she ran into the street for help after the horrendous attack at 11pm which apparently happened while she was in the shower.
Harrowing footage from across the street shows Ms Datchu running out of the house with a towel still on her head making a 'terrible wailing noise' - one source claimed she may even have been locked in the bathroom during the attack. Her 18-month-old son Gabriel died in hospital just before 1am yesterday and last night doctors were battling to save his sister Maria who was being operated on in an East London hospital, where she was said to be in a critical condition.
Friends described Das as ‘jealous’ yesterday, claiming the Indian-born hotel worker had often questioned whether he was the father of the twins, who are both white.
Scotland Yard said the incident is believed to be domestic.
Det Ch Insp Dave Whellams, who is leading the murder probe, said: “This is clearly a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the two young children. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals a baby boy sadly died in the early hours of this morning. A baby girl currently remains in a critical condition and is receiving specialist medical care.
“Whilst we remain in the early stages of the investigation, a man has now been arrested. I would still like to hear from anyone who may have any information regarding this terrible incident.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 020 8345 3775 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
