A WOMAN has been charged with murder after two children were found dead at home in Staffordshire. 

Veronique John, 49, from Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

It comes after Ethan John, 11, and Elizabeth John, 7, were both found unresponsive and with significant injuries on Flax Street, Stoke-on-Trent on 11 June. 

They both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The tragic incident was linked to a man who was stabbed on nearby Campbell Road earlier in the day.

He was not seriously injured and has since been discharged from hospital.

An inquest is due to begin to determine the cause of death for both children. 

The woman was previously arrested on suspicions of murder and questioned up until June 13 after officers were granted extra time.

Speaking at the time of her arrest, Superintendent Mark Ward, who oversees local policing in Stoke-on-Trent, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the friends and family of these two children who tragically lost their lives on Sunday.

“It’s an incredibly sad case and I know how raw and painful this is for those close to the children, their school friends, and the wider local community.

“We understand that the woman arrested is known to the children and we do not believe there to be any wider threat to the public following this isolated incident.

“Our priority focus is to establish what happened in this tragic case and to continue working alongside our partners to deter serious violence in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.”

Parents and the school the children attended paid emotional tributes to the pair in the wake of their deaths. 

Elizabeth’s school described her as “kind, caring and friendly,” while Ethan was said to have “impeccable manners and an infectious smile”.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan said she couldn’t begin to imagine the “pain and suffering” felt by the family and friends.

The 49-year-old woman has already appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.