Phuket manhunt launched for alleged rapist, baby killer

PHUKET: Police are hunting a male nanny who allegedly raped and killed a 1-year-old boy in Phuket Town on April 3.

The 38-year-old man, Somsak Yakob, called the child’s mother on Friday night to tell her that the baby had fallen to his death. Mr Somsak met the baby’s mother, named by police only as ‘Mon’, that night at the hospital before fleeing.

“The body of the baby was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where doctors were able to identify signs of bruising, as well as signs of the baby having been raped,” said Lt Ronnaphum Permpoon of the Phuket City Police.

Ms Mon works at a karaoke bar and hired Mr Somsak to watch her baby.

“I have two children that I am raising alone,” Ms Mon said. “I knew Somsak, as he is my friend’s boyfriend. He volunteered to watch the baby if I paid him.”

Mr Somsak began taking care of the child about two months ago, watching him for a few days or even a week at a time. Ms Mon’s three-year-old daughter was taken care of by a neighbor.

“Every time Mr Somsak returned my baby to me, I found bruises and he looked scared,” Ms Mon said. “However, I assumed he had just been punished for being naughty.”

“About a week ago, he took the baby for me. Then, I received a call on Friday night saying that my baby was dead. I rushed to the emergency room at Vachira Phuket Hospital. My heart was broken when I saw his body.”

The body was taken to Region 8 Police headquarters for an autopsy. It has since been returned to Phuket to be cremated at Wat Khosit Wihan in Phuket Town.

“I will do everything within my power to bring him to justice. I never thought he would do anything like this to my baby,” Ms Mon said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Somsak for killing the baby, confirmed Col Sien Kaewthong of the Phuket City Police.

“Additional charges for the rape are pending until we get the autopsy results,” Col Sien said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong