Nedumangad police on Saturday arrested the mother and stepfather of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy who died under suspicious circumstances. Preliminary postmortem findings reportedly indicated that the child, who died on Friday, had been subjected to repeated physical assault.
Arrest and Investigation
Police said Akhila and her husband Ashkar (34), both Nedumangad natives, will be questioned under the leadership of the Nedumangad Deputy Superintendent of Police. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the child's death.
Postmortem Findings
Initial findings of the postmortem examination suggest that the child's death was not accidental. Injuries caused by continuous beating may have led to the fatality, according to police sources. The body was later handed over to the child's biological father Akhil's family at Palode.
Incident Details
The incident came to light after the child was admitted to the hospital. He reportedly collapsed while having food at home. Medical staff alerted the authorities, leading to the arrest of the parents.
Government Response
Kerala Minister Bindhu Krishna expressed grief over the incident, stating, "A 1.5-year-old toddler died on 29th May and it was found that it was a heartbreaking incident. A mother and a stepfather brutally manhandled the child. Around 50 injuries were found on the child's body... It is a crime against the state and the policy of the state government is zero tolerance against child abuse. We will study how we can protect the children from the abuses."
The state government has reiterated its commitment to child safety and is exploring measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
