Woman arrested for abusing toddler

A woman has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly attempting to murder her two-year-old step-daughter on February 17.

Twenty eight-year-old Christanah Faturoti, resident of number 44 Ago-Owu Compound, Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State, beat the toddler violently, sealed the mouth of the baby and tied her hands behind, police said.

She, thereafter, dumped her inside the room and left for her place of work where she served as a sales girl at a petrol station in the town.

PREMIUM TIMES reliably gathered that it was the baby’s squeal that attracted some passers-by, who then reported to the police in the town. The police then raced to the scene.

The door was forced opened by the police and they saw the baby abused, her two hands tied behind and mouth sealed with cello tape.

The police immediately rescued the baby and rushed her to the hospital. The medical authority explained that if the kid had been in the position for another two hours before she was rushed to the hospital, she would have died.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and then transferred to the Zonal Headquarters in Abeokuta for further investigation.

The biological mother of the victim, is said to be mentally unfit so the father decided his wife – the step mother, should take care of his daughter. The step mother turned out to be abusive and nearly killed the toddler.

At the police station, where she was interrogated, the suspect, who also has a one-year-old for her husband, confessed to the crime, saying she acted in that manner because her husband was paying more attention to the step-daughter.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect would be charged to court on completion of investigation, pointing out that it is a criminal offence that should not be swept under the carpet.

“Everybody is surprised over the action of the woman. How can you beat your step daughter into coma, tie her mouth and hands. It is not only barbaric, it is criminal. The woman would be charge to court,” he stated.

Mr. Adejobi called on parents whose children reside with relatives to be vigilant over their welfare.