Kerala toddler death: Stepfather arrested after child found with 51 wounds
An 18-month-old boy died after alleged prolonged abuse in Kerala. Police arrested the stepfather and mother after a post-mortem report evidence of torture
A one-and-a-half-year old toddler has been brutally tortured, beaten up, inflicted with burns using a lighter and finally killed with a fatal blow to the head by a stick by his stepfather as his mother remained a mute spectator desire being fully aware of the brutality.
The incident took place in Kerala’s Nedumangad's Panavoor area, 20 kilometres away from Thiruvananthapuram, following which the accused Ashkar and the child’s mother, Akhila, were arrested on the night of May 30.
Rushed to hospital
The brutality came to light on May 29, when the deceased was rushed to a private hospital in Panavoor before being shifted to Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
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Ashkar told the hospital staff that the child had choked on food and become unconscious. However, according to a report by NDTV, his cover was blown when relatives challenged his account and flagged the incident to police.
Post-mortem findings
The post-mortem report fully uncovered the extent of brutality and torture inflicted on the child, stating that he had died from severe internal bleeding caused by sustained beating. There were also burn marks on his entire body. In total, 51 wounds were found on the child’s body, including a deep wound on his genitals and cigarette burn marks on his legs.
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Police on Monday (June 1) brought Ashkar to the house to recreate the scene of the crime and to collect evidence. The accused told the investigators that he had decided to kill the child three months ago as he considered him an obstacle in his relationship with Akhila.
Crime reconstruction
Ashkar struck the child on the head with a stick on May 29 when he cried loudly, leading to his death. Then the accused cleaned the house to get rid of evidence, following which he took the child to the hospital.
The child’s mother, in a police statement, has reportedly admitted that despite being aware of the brutal torture inflicted by her lover on her son, she kept quiet and made no effort to save his life. Ashkar and Akhila were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.