Kerala: Mother, Partner Arrested After Death of 18-Month-Old Child

In a tragic incident from Nedumangad in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district, an 18-month-old child named Arshit died reportedly due to severe physical abuse. The police have arrested the child's mother, Akhila (24), and her live-in partner, Askar (31), on May 31 in connection with the case.

According to reports, Askar brought the child to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on May 29, claiming that the child had choked on food. However, the child passed away within minutes of being admitted. A post-mortem examination revealed 51 injury marks on the child's body, including burns caused by a cigarette and lighter. Injuries were also found on private parts, and the cause of death was identified as severe internal bleeding.

Investigations revealed that the child's biological father had passed away in 2024, after which Akhila began living with Askar. Allegations have surfaced that Askar frequently abused the child, including hitting the child's head against a wall and inflicting burns. Akhila reportedly did not intervene to stop the abuse. Two weeks before the child's death, a video surfaced showing Akhila holding the child with both arms in plaster casts, which she attributed to a cycling accident. However, police suspect the injuries were caused by physical assault.

At the time of the child's death, Akhila was reportedly attending a dance program in Tamil Nadu. She was later summoned for questioning and subsequently arrested. Both suspects are currently in police custody. Authorities are also investigating Askar's past, though no prior criminal cases have been registered against him.