THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The locals don’t have a good opinion about the parents of the two-year-old girl found dead in the well in Balaramapuram. The locals said they have borrowed lakhs from many and also expressed doubts on the child’s death.

'We came to know about the child, who went missing at around 5.30 in the morning. We searched the well and the surroundings initially using a torch. Couldn’t find anything. However, someone in the house told us that the net in the well is misplaced. There was a mark of something burnt with petrol in the room of the child’s uncle. The couple had financial liabilities. They owe lakhs to many people. They live in a rented house. The child's mother and grandma have borrowed money from many,’ a local said.

The dead is two-and-a-half-year-old Devendu, daughter of Shreethu and Sreejith of Kottukalkonam. The child, who slept with her parents at home last night, was found missing this morning. A search was launched by the family, the body was later found in the well.

The child's father, mother, and maternal uncle have been taken into custody by the police. Police said the child’s uncle has some mental issues. The investigation is progressing.