Suspicions growing over death of 14-year-old bride in southeastern Turkey

SİİRT – Doğan News Agency

K.E. was buried late on Jan. 12 after an autopsy. AA Photo

An investigation into the death of a 14-year-old mother has been intensified, with the Family and Social Policies Ministry sending an official to the village in the southeastern province of Siirt where she was found dead in her home.

The girl was buried late on Jan. 12 after an autopsy, which is expected to reveal the exact the reason of her death.

The girl, identified only as K.E, was found dead in her room on Jan. 10 with a gunshot wound. This came shortly after she had given birth to her second child, who died shortly after birth.

K.E. was living with the family of her husband, identified as M.A., in the Pervari district of Siirt. M.A. was recruited to the army for his compulsory military service two months ago, when his wife was seven months pregnant.

M.A.’s family members have been questioned as a part of the investigation. They reportedly claim that the girl committed suicide because she was depressed after her second child died.

Uncertainty about the exact age of K.E. has become a key question in the investigation, and her bone age will be determined in the autopsy.

K.E. was reportedly 11-years-old when she was married to her husband with a religious ceremony upon the decision of their families. She gave birth to a baby when she was 12 and became pregnant with her second child shortly afterwards.

However, her family said she was older than 14 because she was registered late after her birth. According to a test conducted last year due to a previous investigation into her early marriage, K.E.’s bone age was 16, although her official identity card says she was born in 2000.

Siirt Governor Ahmet Aydın said the probe to determine her exact age was ongoing.

It has also been reported that K.E.’s first child, who is now 18 months old, has yet to be registered. This child may be taken under state-protection during the investigation process, according to reports.