Nairobi: Woman arrested for allegedly killing son, 4, after he soiled self

A woman from Nairobi is detained over a puzzling case where she is linked to the killing of her four-year-old son after he soiled himself.

Police say Melvin Owuor and an unnamed friend took the child’s body to Mama Lucy Hospital mortuary on December 9, 2024, where Ms Owuor claimed her son died while asleep.

They reportedly did not return after reporting the incident to the police as guided by morgue officials, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on Sunday.

The mother and her friend reportedly switched off their phones, prompting the mortician to report the incident at the nearby Mowlem police post.

“Whereas the suspect initially claimed that the child died while asleep, it was found that the minor had succumbed to injuries inflicted by his mother after an alleged incident where the boy had reportedly soiled himself while answering the call of nature,” DCI said about its findings in the case.

The investigative agency said it was piecing together more case details as the suspect remains in custody.

Ms Owuor’s friend was also arrested, DCI added.