The body of a three-year-old girl, who had been reported missing from Thiruvaniyoor panchayat, was discovered in the Chalakkudy River near Moozhikulam Bridge around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Authorities suspect her mother, Sandhya, is responsible for the tragic incident. The Chengamanad police have registered a murder case against her, although her official arrest has yet to be recorded.
The young victim was Sandhya’s daughter with her husband, Subhash. Surveillance footage shows Sandhya carrying her daughter after picking her up from the anganwadi in Mattakkuzhi on Monday evening. Following this, she reportedly took a bus to their residence in Kurumasserry, Parakkadavu block.
While Subhash was at Kolancherry Medical Mission Hospital alongside his father, who was recovering from surgery, concern began to grow when a family member noticed Sandhya and the child had not returned. Her brother-in-law reached out to their home late that evening but was informed that neither Sandhya nor the child was there. Sandhya arrived home alone later and initially refused to specify her daughter’s whereabouts, claiming that the child was missing.
As the situation grew more suspicious, Beena Jose, a ward member from Mattakkuzhi, reached out to Sandhya. In her conversation, Sandhya claimed the child had gone missing while they were en route home from Aluva. “We found her explanation suspicious. There have been instances in the past where she has hurt the child. So, we alerted the Puthencruz police,” Jose stated, underscoring the community’s growing concern for the child’s safety.
In response to the alarm, police initiated a large-scale search for the missing girl. The emergence of CCTV footage showing the mother carrying her child near the Moozhikulam bridge heightened the urgency of the search. Subsequently, the Fire and Rescue Services were called in to deploy a scuba team in a bid to locate the child.
Tragically, residents and police located the girl’s body before the scuba team arrived. While there are ongoing investigations into the family’s dynamics that may have contributed to this heart-wrenching event, such claims are still being verified by the authorities.
This heartbreaking case has sparked conversations in the community, raising questions about child safety and parental responsibility. The investigation remains ongoing as the Chengamanad police work meticulously to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
As the community grapples with the loss of such a young life, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and support networks around families facing difficulties. Further developments are anticipated as authorities continue their investigation into this case, underscoring the need for increased awareness regarding the welfare of children in vulnerable situations.
Published – May 20, 2025, 10:13 am IST
Keywords: Thiruvaniyoor, Chalakkudy River, missing child, murder investigation, Kerala, CCTV footage, parental responsibility, child safety.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/body-of-missing-three-year-old-girl-in-kerala-fished-out-of-river/article69596201.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2025-05-20 10:13:00
