Infant dies in Thiruvananthapuram, mother taken into custody

A one-and-a-half-year-old was allegedly murdered by her mother in Vilavoorkal, near Malayinkeezhu, here on Thursday. The child, identified as Ivana, alias Anna, the daughter of Abhijith and Christy, sustained a severe injury to her neck and later died despite being rushed to the Vilavoorkal family health centre and referred to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital. The incident came to light around 5 p.m.

The Malayinkeezhu police have taken Christy into custody for questioning. According to preliminary information, the incident took place inside the family home in Vilavoorkal. The mother had reportedly taken the child into a room after lunch, as she routinely did. Other members of the family were elsewhere in the house, while the child’s father and some other family members were reportedly away for work.

The family became concerned when the mother and child did not come out of the room at the usual time. The relatives knocked on the door, following which the mother eventually opened the door and allegedly said that she had killed the child.

Looking for motive

Official sources said the motive for the alleged murder was yet to be established. While initial reports referred to the possibility of domestic disputes as one line of inquiry, the police are also examining whether Christy has any mental ailments.

Tension prevailed at the scene as local residents expressed strong anger and protested against Christy. It required considerable effort from the police team, led by the Malayinkeezhu Station House Officer (SHO), to remove Christy from the scene and take her to the police station.