Two-year-old boy survives six days eating cat food

In what US police describe as a "miracle,'' a two-year-old California boy survived on cat food for up to six days on his own and was found today after his mother died in their North Sacramento home.

The child - whom Sacramento County Child Protective Services (CPS) identified as Noah - and his mother were discovered after police forced their way into the home in the city's Hagginwood neighbourhood, police Officer Konrad Von Schoech said.

A CPS worker had gone to check on the family that morning because the mother suffered from chronic illness, Von Schoech said. No one answered the door, but the worker heard the child crying inside and called 911.

Once inside the home, police and firefighters found the mother's body, Von Schoech said. Investigators found evidence that the boy was able to survive by eating "whatever was in sight and within reach,'' he said.

"At this point, we're looking at it as a miracle that this kid survived such a tragedy, especially with being locked in this house with no access to the outside world,'' Von Schoech said.

Police believe the mother had been dead for up to six days and the boy had been eating cat food and other items to survive. The little boy is undergoing medical tests and was placed in protective custody.