Little Brendan Owens’ quiet home at Trinity Terrace in Lisburn, Co Antrim

A MOTHER is to face a court on Friday charged with the murder of her toddler son.

Michelle Owens was formally charged on Thursday night by detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team with the murder of her three-year-old son.

The 27-year-old is due to face Lisburn Magistrates Court.

Her son Brendan Owens was found dead on July 4 at the family home at Trinity Terrace in Lisburn.

At first police treated the death as unexplained as a post mortem examination proved inconclusive.

But on Wednesday evening his mother was formally arrested at the house and taken to a police station for questioning.

It followed the receipt of new information by detectives.

On Thursday, a 51-year-old was also arrested in connection with the PSNI murder inquiry.

He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.