38-day-old baby dies from sexual abuse, physical violence in Turkey’s Van

İdris Emen - VAN

AA photo

A 38-day-old baby in the eastern province of Van has died after being sexually and physically abused, while the mother and two men were arrested over the incident on Jan. 30. 

The baby was taken to hospital in Van’s İpekyolu district on Jan. 26 by the mother and the two men.

According to initial reports, doctors had detected a fracture on the baby’s skull, bruises on the body and signs of sexual abuse.

Police had launched an investigation into the incident while the baby was in intensive care unit. 

The baby died from injuries a day after being brought to hospital, while the mother and the two men were detained and referred to court.

The court ordered the arrest of the suspects on charges of “infanticide,” “killing a defenseless person” and “physically and mentally harming one” after their testimonies were heard by prosecutors. 

Meanwhile, the Van Governor’s Office confirmed the incident in a written statement. “The people involved in the incident were caught and detained. The baby, who was under treatment, died on Jan. 27 despite all medical efforts, as the investigation was being carried out,” it said.

Murat Timur, the head of the Bar Association in Van, said the baby’s mother was in prison during her pregnancy, and had been released to give birth.

“Three suspects were detained, including the baby’s mother, over their involvement in the incident. According to the autopsy report, the baby had died due to damage on the head. According to the report, there were signs of sexual assault too. We have learned that the mother of the baby was in prison during her pregnancy, but had been released to deliver the baby. We have never faced such a horrendous incident before. The murder of a 38-day-old baby has deeply shocked us. We as the Van Bar Association will follow this case closely,” he said.