Mother Arrested After Three Years in Pathanamthitta Over Eight-Month-Old Baby Murder Kerala Police have arrested a 38-year-old mother in connection with the August 2023 murder of her eight-month-old infant, who was allegedly killed by a nomadic acquaintance after she cried continuously at night. In a chilling case that has come to light nearly three years later, Kerala Police have arrested a mother in the Pathanamthitta district for her alleged involvement in the murder of her eight-month-old baby, who was killed because she would not stop crying at night. Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that 38-year-old Manju was taken into custody following an extensive investigation into the infant's death, which occurred in August 2023. A special investigation team led by Thiruvalla Deputy Superintendent of Police P. R. Santosh executed the arrest after a lengthy probe. The infant's body had been discovered on August 12, 2023, at around 6:00 PM in a grass-covered marshy area located within the Pulikeezhu police station limits at Valanjavattom. Dispute, Departure, and a Transient Life According to police findings, Manju had left her home in Alappuzha along with her newborn daughter in 2023 following a domestic dispute with her husband, Esakki. Investigators stated that while she was sitting outside a shop in Kalarcode, a man named Shivan approached her and offered to take care of the mother and child. Police noted that Shivan leads a nomadic lifestyle. Following this encounter, Manju accompanied Shivan to Changanassery, where the pair began living with the infant on the veranda of a local shop. The Stranglehold and the Disposal of the Body Police revealed that on a night in August 2023, the baby began crying persistently. Enraged by the noise, Shivan allegedly strangled the infant, resulting in her death. To dispose of the body, Shivan and Manju called Shivan's younger brother, Shakti. The three accused allegedly loaded the infant's body onto a scooter brought by Shakti, transported it to the marshy terrain in Valanjavattom, dumped it there, and fled the scene. The grim plot unraveled only when Manju returned alone to her native settlement in Palakkad without the child. Suspension, Interrogation, and the Breakthrough Manju is a resident of the Chemmandodu Scheduled Tribe colony near the Meenkara Dam within the Meenakshipuram police station jurisdiction, where she worked as a colony promoter. When a local colony promoter inquired about the missing baby, Manju failed to provide any coherent or clear explanation. Consequently, the promoter alerted the Meenakshipuram police. Upon being questioned by law enforcement, Manju broke down and confessed to the crime during the interrogation. Special Investigation Team and Ongoing Manhunt Following her confession at the Meenakshipuram station, a special police team detained Manju and transferred her to the Pulikeezhu police station for further proceedings. Authorities stated that under the strict directives of Pathanamthitta District Police Chief R. Anand, a massive manhunt has been launched to apprehend the remaining suspects, identified as the primary accused Shivan and the co-accused Shakti. Meanwhile, the third accused, Manju, was produced before a court, which subsequently remanded her to judicial custody. What this means for you This grim case highlights critical issues surrounding child protection, domestic distress, and the vital role of community vigilance in local neighborhoods. • In Kerala: Local administration and child welfare authorities are facing renewed scrutiny regarding grassroots monitoring systems. The vigilance demonstrated by local colony promoters in reporting missing infants is being emphasized across community networks. • Across India: The incident underscores the pressing need for stronger child protection frameworks and rapid intervention mechanisms in cases involving domestic displacement. Authorities are expected to reinforce welfare tracking to prevent crimes against vulnerable minors. Why this happened The underlying catalysts for this horrific crime stem from domestic instability, displacement, and extreme frustration leading to a violent reaction. Police investigations have established the sequence of events that enabled the cover-up. • Domestic Estrangement: The tragedy originated when Manju left her home following a severe dispute with her husband Esakki in 2023, leading her to wander with her newborn infant. • Escalation of Frustration: The immediate trigger for the murder was the persistent crying of the eight-month-old infant during the night, which provoked the primary suspect into throttling the child. • Deliberate Concealment: To evade detection, the suspects conspired to remove the body from the scene, calling an accomplice and dumping the infant in a remote marshland. Questions & Answers 1. When and where was the arrest made in this case? Police arrested 38-year-old Manju nearly three years after the August 2023 incident in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district. 2. What was the age of the infant and where was her body found? The victim was an eight-month-old baby whose body was discovered on August 12, 2023, in a marshy area at Valanjavattom. 3. Why had Manju left her home initially? Manju left her home in 2023 along with her newborn daughter following a domestic dispute with her husband Esakki. 4. How did the crime come to light? The plot unraveled when Manju returned to her native colony without her child and failed to provide a clear explanation to local promoters. 5. Who is leading the police investigation into the murder? The investigation is being conducted by a special team led by Thiruvalla Deputy Superintendent of Police P. R. Santosh. https://trendkia.com/en/crime/mother-arrested-after-three-years-in-pathanamthitta-over-eight-month-old-baby-murder-50438 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.