Cherthala: The preliminary probe into the suspicious death of a one-year-old infant at Pattanakad here in Kerala's Alappuzha district is on. Athira, the deceased's young mother, has reportedly told police that her infant, Adisha, died as she tried to hold her mouth and nose in a fit of rage as the infant kept on crying on Saturday. Meanwhile, it has come to light that the local police had taken action against Athira several times before on complaints of abusing the baby.
Though Athira is insisting that she had no intention to kill the baby girl, however, police is not ready to buy her version, and an investigation to unravel the role of others is on.
Had Athira smothered the kid, it would have left some marks or bruises on either the child or mother. Police are investigating the likely use of pillow too.
After the funeral, on questioning the parents further, Athira had admitted to killing the baby, police sources informed.
The child's parents had initially claimed that they had found the baby motionless during sleep. While there were no notable injuries, the autopsy report cited strangulation as the cause of death.
The autopsy report states that the child died of asphyxiation. The doctors had sought an autopsy since the child was brought dead. Pattanakkad Police, led by SI Amrutarangan, prepared an inquest. The autopsy was held in the presence of the police surgeon.
Athira was arrested yesterday itself.
The incident happened at a house in Kollamveli Colony
Death after jail-term
Adisha had spent some time in jail as an eight-month old when her mother and father Sharon were remanded in custody at Alappuzha sub-jail on charges of attacking Athira’s mother-in-law Priya with a coconut scraper. Though Priya pleaded against lodging the child in jail, Athira did not agree.
Sharon and Athira used to frequently enter into spats with parents.
Apart from Priya, her husband Baiju and his mother Shyamala lived at their house.
Athira, Sharon and Priya are labourers.
Locals react
While the probe is on, the local residents are yet to come to terms with the shocking incident. They had gathered for Adisha's funeral yesterday. Some found it hard to control their anger.
"How can a mother do this to such a cute child? This was the common refrain in the colony.
The neighbours speak of Adisha with fond memories.
Meanwhile, the reason that led the mother to commit such a heinous act remains a mystery.
Grim news galore
Horrific and inhuman attacks on children are becoming increasingly prevalent in Kerala. Recently, a seven-year-old boy was brutally assaulted and murdered by his stepfather in Thodupuzha and in Aluva a three-year-old boy died after he was hit on the head with a wooden stick allegedly by his mother.