Minor sexually abused and killed in Kochi: Mother's statement to be recorded again

KOCHI: A detailed investigation is ongoing into the shocking death of a six-year-old girl in Ponekkara, Ernakulam. The child was found dead along with her father and was confirmed sexually assaulted. The statement of the child's mother will be recorded again. The mother had initially told police that she did not know her daughter had been sexually abused. As part of the investigation, the statements of two relatives were recorded on Sunday. As part of the procedure, the statements of more relatives will be recorded. Information will be sought from the school authorities where the child studied.

The sample collected was sent for DNA testing to determine whether it was the father who molested the child. On the morning of January 15, a 33-year-old man, a native of Poochakkal, Alappuzha, was found hanging in his rented house, and his daughter was found dead on the bed. The initial conclusion was that he had killed his daughter and committed suicide after being upset over an unhappy marriage. The postmortem report revealed that the child had been sexually abused. A POCSO case was registered.

The Ernakulam Central ACP is investigating the case. The family had been living in a rented house in Ponekkara for three years. The couple quarrelled often as the wife used to taunt her husband for not going to work, thus adding to the family’s financial burden. On the day of the incident, the man sent a message to his wife, vaguely telling her about his decision. It is believed that the man then strangled the child to death and then committed suicide.