A COMMUNITY has been left in shock after a 'happy little girl' aged three died with a woman arrested on suspicion of neglect.

People in Wharncliffe Road in Woolston, Southampton, have been left “devastated” and "overcome with sadness" following the tragic death.

Paramedics rushed to a flat at around 7am after receiving reports of a seriously unwell child. Despite trying to save her, the toddler died a short time afterwards.

A 40-year-old woman from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of neglect and causing or allowing the death of a child.

READ MORE: Woman arrested on suspicion of neglect after child, 3, dies

'I feel devastated'

Residents have been left shocked at the news, with one woman telling the Daily Echo: “I feel devasted.

“If I had seen anything I would have stepped in to help because that’s my nature, I love people.

“I’m mortified.”

'She was a lovely happy little girl'

Others who knew the family and the deceased girl have spoken of their last memories of her.

Alison Tudor, 56, said: “She was a lovely happy little girl, I'll always remember her curly hair and her big blue eyes.

"The last time I saw her was on Christmas Eve."

She added: "We wished them happy Christmas and a brilliant new year.

“When I read it in the Echo, it gave me goosebumps and all I thought was, 'oh my gosh that little girl'.

“There weren’t any signs that something like this could happen, she was always so quiet.

“I could never imagine something like this could happen.”

The arrested woman has been released on conditional police bail until March 29.

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