A TEDDY bear, pink flowers and hand-written cards were tied to railings outside a Sheffield house today after the alleged murder of a three-year-old girl.
Neighbours on Beck Road in Shiregreen said toddler Lylah Aaron was a ‘little angel’ - and that they could hardly sleep for thinking about their own beloved children.
Delroy Catwell, aged 30, of Beck Road, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with Lylah’s murder.
Wearing a blue T-shirt and blue trousers for the three-minute hearing, he was flanked in the dock by two security guards as he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Locals yesterday left bouquets of flowers for Lylah with cards which read, ‘Fly safe little angel - RIP’, and ‘Rest in peace baby girl’.
Chicara Mattis, aged 29, from Shiregreen, was visiting the street to leave her own tribute.
She told The Star: “I’ve come to pay my respects.
“I couldn’t sleep last night after hearing the news. I kissed my babies and didn’t want to let them go.
“It’s a disgrace that this has happened here.
“I’m devastated for the mother, she’s lost her daughter and everybody is gossiping.
“I can’t believe this has really happened to a little three-year-old, right on our doorstep, that poor little thing.
“These things affect you, they make you fear for your own children.”
Paul Ford, 40, of nearby Oaks Fold Road, said: “I’ve got a five-year-old son and this is far too close to home, really upsetting. I can’t believe it, it’s a terrible shock.”
Claire Humberstone, 33, of Concord Road, said: “It makes you want to keep hold of your own babies.
“I’ve lost a child - my son died when he was 10 from an asthma attack - but to have your child murdered, I couldn’t even imagine.”
Roy Peace, 56, of Sicey Avenue, said: “I could have cried when I heard what happened, I can’t imagine losing such a young child.
“This is a quiet place and we’re all shocked this has happened to a little girl.”
Lynne Coley, 44, said: “I have lived here 24 years and you do not expect a three-year-old girl to be murdered on your street.
“I am horrified and shocked. It is awful to think what the family must be going through.”
Lylah’s red brick house remained cordoned off yesterday, as forensics officers in white suits and latex gloves inspected the scene.
Police were in the area conducting further house-to-house inquiries, asking neighbours what they had heard between 8.30pm and 9pm on Friday.
Lylah, who is believed to have lived in Beck Road for just over two years, died in the early hours of Saturday after being rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Friday night.
The Star successfully applied to a district judge at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to lift an unlawful reporting restriction forbidding identification of Lylah’s name.
Catwell will next appear at Sheffield Crown Court next week, and was remanded in custody.
Anyone with information is asked to call South Yorkshire Police on 101.