Boy, 11, found hanged at care home

Dylan Thomas McDonald died in hospital after he was discovered by teachers in his bedroom at the Appletree Residential School, near Kendal, Cumbria, last Wednesday evening.

The youngster, from Kirkby, Liverpool, was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Principal Clair Davies paid tribute to Dylan, saying his death was a "terrible tragedy".

She said: "Our thoughts are with his family. The children and team are very upset and they are our priority at this time," she said.

Dylan's parents, Peter and Sharon McDonald, are being supported by a family liaison officer. It is thought their son moved to the Lake District care home when he was eight years old.

Dylan's Uncle Shaun McDonald, who lives in Warrington, Cheshire, told the Liverpool Echo his nephew was due to visit the family at Halloween.

He said: "Everyone is in a state of shock. When Peter went to see him on Sunday he was laughing and joking. They took him out for meals and Dylan was really looking forward to coming back home later this month. We've been told he may have had an argument with a teacher or another pupil on Monday and he was a bit down on Tuesday. But, essentially, why he did this is a mystery."

A team of 10 detectives from South Cumbria's Public Protection Unit is investigating the death.

Detective Inspector Geoff Huddleston, of Cumbria Police, said: "A full investigation is under way to discover the circumstances surrounding his death. Whilst Dylan's death is being treated as suspicious as we have to in these circumstances, I have to keep an open mind until the full circumstances are known. We are working closely with the school community and the family to support them at this difficult time."