Death of pregnant 17-year-old: Classmate’s blood samples to be tested, arrest likely if paternity confirmed

PATHANAMTHITTA: The tragic death of a 17-year-old girl from Mundappally has taken a shocking turn after investigations revealed that she was five months pregnant. The girl, a higher secondary student, succumbed to fever while undergoing treatment at Alappuzha Medical College.

A case of unnatural death was initially registered, but the postmortem findings confirmed her pregnancy, prompting the registration of a case under POCSO Act. Police have also launched an investigation to determine the paternity of the unborn child.

DNA samples from the fetus have been collected and blood samples from a male classmate, suspected to have been in a relationship with the girl, will be tested for a DNA match. If paternity is confirmed, authorities indicate an arrest will follow.

The incident unfolded after the girl fell ill during a school excursion on the 19th. She complained of discomfort and was sent back home after her parents were informed. Four days ago, she developed a fever and was taken to a local hospital, where an infection was detected through blood tests. As her condition worsened, she was referred to the medical college.

Despite treatment, the teenager passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. Doctors, suspicious of internal organ damage, conducted a postmortem, which revealed the pregnancy.