A 29-year-old woman has been charged with murder after a two-year-old died in Hemel Hempstead.

Shilyrand Charigwati of Juniper Square, Hemel Hempstead, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court today, April 16, Hertfordshire Police have confirmed.

She was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday, April 18.

Update: A trial date has been set. Read our latest update here.

Emergency services were spotted in Juniper Square after being called to reports of a medical emergency at an address in the road on Sunday afternoon. 

Police confirmed a child had been taken to hospital for emergency treatment but died a short time later and a 29-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder.

A Herts Police spokesperson previously said the news “will be very distressing to the local community” but asked the public not to speculate on the circumstances.

“Colleagues from the Dacorum Community Safety Partnership have been informed and are supporting enquiries,” they added.

“An extensive investigation is under way to establish the circumstances around what happened.

“With this in mind, it's absolutely vital that people please refrain from speculating about what happened, to allow the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings to take place.

“Any commentary could have a serious detrimental impact.”

Residents reported seeing armed officers at the scene on Sunday, and Herts Police have explained that they were dispatched to provide specialist first aid equipment which they carry in their vehicles.