Infant’s death in Angamaly: Police confirm murder following recovery of knife, grandma main suspect

Kochi: The mystery surrounding the death of a six-month-old baby girl in Angamaly deepened after police recovered a blood-stained knife from the bedroom where the infant was found dead earlier in the day. The police now suspect that the baby’s grandmother, who has been reportedly undergoing treatment for mental health issues, may have been involved in the incident.

The deceased, Delna Maria Sarah, daughter of Antony and Ruth, was found with slash wounds on her neck at her maternal home in Karippala, Karukutty, near Angamaly, around 9 am. The Angamaly police, who initially registered a case of unnatural death, have now intensified their probe following the recovery of the weapon.

According to police sources, the knife was recovered from the same room where the baby had been lying beside her grandmother, Rosy, shortly before the incident.

 “Based on the preliminary investigation, it is found that without the grandmother’s knowledge, the crime could not have happened. Since she was alone in the room, as per other family members’ statements, we suspect that the grandmother committed the crime alone. But it cannot be confirmed without questioning her,” said police sources. 

The officer added that the grandmother appeared disoriented and unstable when police reached the scene. “She is currently hospitalised and under our surveillance. Once her condition stabilises, she will be questioned. We are not ruling out any angles in the case,” he said.

Earlier, local ward member Mary Antony said that the baby was lying on the bed beside her grandmother before the tragedy unfolded. “Ruth, the mother, went to the kitchen for a few minutes, and when she returned, she found the baby lying unconscious and covered in blood. Hearing her screams, neighbours rushed in and took the infant to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her dead,” Mary said.

Rosy, the grandmother, has reportedly been under psychiatric treatment, according to family members. “After the incident, she became uncontrollable and had to be taken to a hospital for care. What exactly happened inside the room remains unclear,” Mary added.

The police have recorded statements from family members and neighbours and are examining forensic evidence, including the knife, collected from the scene.