2 10-Year-Olds Held in Death of Lost Boy

LIVERPOOL, England — Two 10-year-old boys were under arrest Friday in the abduction and beating death of a 2-year-old.

A police statement said detectives were questioning the pair about the death of James Bulger, who became separated from his mother at a shopping mall in Liverpool a week ago.

Security video cameras in the mall recorded the scene as two boys led the toddler away. His body was found with horrific injuries on a railway line two days later.

Details of the arrests were held back for more than 24 hours to prevent any repetition of the protests that erupted outside the home of a 12-year-old who was detained earlier in the week and then eliminated from police inquiries.

Detective Superintendent Albert Kirby, leading the murder hunt, said the two 10-year-olds were being interviewed at separate police stations.

“At this stage it is not known if charges will follow,” he said.

Police say children 10 and older can be held criminally responsible for their actions provided it is established that they were aware that what they were doing was wrong.

Police have followed up dozens of leads after a television program Thursday night showed a newly enhanced video image.