Nedumangad toddler's death confirmed as murder; mother and partner taken into custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Nedumangad has been confirmed as a case of murder. Police have taken the child's mother, Akhila, and her partner, Ashkar, into custody. According to the police, Ashkar used to assault the child physically. The severe assault reportedly caused internal bleeding, which led to the child's death. Police said the toddler had been subjected to repeated and brutal assault.

Arshid, the son of Akhila from Karikkuzhi in Nedumangad, died on Friday. Initial reports said the child vomited while being fed and later died. At the time of the incident, Akhila was in Tamil Nadu for a dance program. The child had been receiving treatment after suffering from a fever for two days. Images had also surfaced showing both of the child's hands in plaster casts. Ashkar and Akhila had claimed that the injuries were caused by a fall while the child was playing. However, relatives told police that Ashkar frequently assaulted the child. Ashkar had informed police and hospital authorities that the child died after food became stuck in his throat.

An inquest report later found multiple injury marks on the child's body, raising suspicions of assault. Further investigation reportedly revealed that the child had suffered serious physical assault, leading police to register the case as a murder.