Minor’s death in Elamakkara: Autopsy reveals sexual abuse

Kochi: Elamakkara police, investigating the death of a six-year-old girl who was found dead along with her father, registered a separate case under Pocso Act after an autopsy revealed that the child was sexually abused. According to sources, the postmortem examination indicated that the child was sexually abused for at least a year and just before her death. It also revealed injuries to the child's private parts. The minor was found dead on the bed of a rented house where the family was staying, within Elamakkara police station limits, on Jan 15. Her father, a 33-year-old man, was found hanging in the house. Police collected DNA samples from both deceased as part of the investigation into the Pocso case. The child's mother claimed to be unaware of the abuse. Police also conducted an investigation at a day care where the child used to go. Police are also investigating whether anyone known to the family was involved. When the girl's mother returned home from work at 11.30pm, she found the house locked and her husband and daughter missing. The father's phone was also switched off. She then went to her cousin's house in Poothotta. When the woman returned home with her cousin the next morning, she found the house unlocked. Both went inside and saw the bodies before filing a police complaint. The father used to work as a salesperson and was reportedly unemployed for some time.