Cherthala: A young mother who was arrested by the Pattanakad Police here in Kerala's Alappuzha district over the alleged murder of her 15-month-old girl child admitted to cops she did the crime as the baby had disturbed her sleep.
Athira, wife of Sharon of Kollamveli Colony in Pattanakad, used to beat up the child for waking up at night and disturbing sleep, police said. She has also told the police she smothered Adisha as the baby did not stop crying. The baby was killed around noon last Saturday.
Adisha was first beaten badly as she refused to sleep and started crying. In rage Athira covered her mouth and nose with her right palm. She was let off only after she became numb, police said.
The police strongly suspect Athira had attacked the child with an intention to kill even though she stated otherwise.
The mother ensured that Adisha was dead before bringing her to hospital, the cops said.
Athira was remanded in custody after medical checkup on Monday.
Forensic experts examined her house on Monday.
Bid to play innocent
According to police, Athira tried to act innocent after the murder.
She took the child’s body to her neighbour Shyama saying, “sister, the kid is not responding.” Shyama remembers Athira handing her the child with these words.
Shyama was shocked to see Athira’s rare visit. Her face did not have the fear or grief of a mother in a similar situation, Shyama said.
Shyama took the child and applied water on her face and legs thinking it might be because of a seizure. Failing to see any response, she ran out since most neighbours had gathered in another house where a death occurred recently. She took the child to one Kunjumon’s house, where he and relatives tried to revive the child.
Shyama and Athira then took her in an autorickshaw to Puthiyakavu Junction, where Kunjumon and his son on a bike took over the child so that she could be rushed to a hospital. Since the nearest private hospital did not have a doctor on duty, they took her to Cherthala Taluk Hospital. The doctors there tried to revive her. Further examination revealed Adisha had died an hour ago.
Nuisance for neighbours
Neighbours don't have a good opinion about Athira. They complained that on several mornings they used to wake up hearing her foul language. Police said she used to beat up her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Once, the latter’s hand was broken in an assault. Neighbours who tried to intervene were also abused verbally.
Athira, Sharon and his mother Priya worked in a prawn-peeling unit.
Sharon’s father Biju has not been going for work due to health reasons. Adisha was restricted to the house once they went to work. The mother never allowed Adisha to mingle with neighbours.
The child had to wait for Sharon or Priya’s return to get out of the house. Neighbourhood child Avantika was her only friend. But she would not be let to play with Avantika if Athira was around.
Athira even used to throw the child’s diapers on to the roofs of neighbouring houses.
Recently she tried to snatch the chain of an girl enrolled in a local childcare centre (anganwadi ). As the girl cried out, Athira dropped the chain and pretended to find it from the floor, local residents claimed.