A mother and father have been charged after a one-year-old boy died from 'severe malnutrition' while a second child was found 'neglected'.

Maero Johnson had been rushed to hospital, but despite the best efforts of staff, he passed away on August 23, 2023. 

The one-year-old died from ketonic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition, a Home Office postmortem confirmed. 

A second child was also found by Merseyside Police officers to be neglected and underdeveloped.

Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, both of St Helens, have been charged with causing/allowing the death of a child and possession of a Class B drug, cannabis. 

Johnson and Smith are scheduled to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on August 13.