Kerala police arrest mother 3 years after infant’s death, probe ex-partner’s role

Three years after the killing of a six-month-old child, Kerala police have arrested the child’s mother and begun a probe to identify her former partner in connection with the case. The police arrested the mother, identified as Manju (45), a native of Palakkad on Tuesday, October 20.

In August 2023, the police found the body of a child buried in a marshy area near St Mary's Orthodox Church in Pulikeezhu, Pathanamthitta district, after locals noticed a foul smell. The case had remained unsolved until now, as there had been no missing-persons complaint or any other reports regarding the child.

According to reports, the breakthrough occurred after the Kozhinjampara police received a tip from Manju’s neighbour about the involvement of Manju’s ex-partner in the crime. This later led to Manju’s arrest.

Reports also suggest that Manju confessed to police that her then partner had suffocated the toddler to death in August 2023 because the child was crying.

According to the reports, the mother's former partner suffocated and strangled the child at a shop near the KSRTC junction in Changanassery because the child was crying. Later, he and his brother allegedly transported the body to Pulikeezhu and buried it in the marsh. Since the incident occurred in Changanassery, the Pulikeezhu police will hand over the case to the Changanassery police station.

Meanwhile, the police have launched an active manhunt to track down and arrest the man and his brother.