One-year-old boy dies, apparent victim of family abuse

PHUKET: A one-year-old boy who died at Vachira Phuket Hospital on Saturday likely died of wounds inflicted by a family member, say police.

The child was brought to Thalang hospital by relatives at 11pm on Friday. He was unconscious, and his face and body were covered in bruises.

“He was still breathing, but struggling, so the Thalang medical team gave him oxygen. When they were unable to stabilize him, he was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but doctors there were unable to save him,” said Prakob Boonkwan of the Tah Chat Chai Police.

He was pronounced dead at 8:30am on Saturday. Doctors said that his intestines and liver had been damaged, Lt Col Prakob said.

Phuket City Police, notified of the death, passed the investigation to Tah Chat Chai Police, since the boy had been living in a house in their jurisdiction.

The child’s parents had separated some months ago, and he was living with his father’s relatives, said Lt Col Prakob.

“We questioned his relatives, but they declined to give any information.

“However, police believe a member of his family is a prime suspect, but need more information before they can make an arrest,” he said.

The boy’s body was transferred to the Forensic Police office in Surat Thani to confirm the cause of death,” said Lt Col Prakob.

— Thawit Bilabdullar