Police have arrested a father in connection with the death of his two-and-a-half-month-old daughter after she reportedly slipped from his hands and suffered a fatal head injury.
The infant, Ruseli Keyasha of Batadoba Thuduwa in Alubomulla, died while receiving treatment at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Police said. Her father was taken into custody on Sunday following further investigations into the incident.
According to Alubomulla Police, the infant sustained a severe head injury after falling onto a cement floor while being carried by her father, who had returned home after completing a night work shift.
Police said the father told investigators he fell asleep while walking with the crying infant in his arms, causing her to slip and fall. A post-mortem examination conducted by a judicial medical officer determined the cause of death to be internal bleeding in the brain resulting from a contusion to the right side of the head.
Police said the infant was first taken to Panadura Base Hospital before being transferred to Lady Ridgeway Hospital for specialized treatment. She died three days later.
Investigators said the father initially failed to disclose that the injury occurred due to a fall at home. During the inquest and preliminary inquiries, both parents reportedly stated that no accident had taken place. Police later reopened the investigation after receiving additional information and statements.
A senior Police officer said further inquiries, including visits to the family residence and interviews with neighbours, revealed no evidence of domestic disputes or prior incidents. The father later provided a detailed statement acknowledging the incident and admitting he concealed the circumstances out of fear, police said.
The father is expected to be produced before court on charges related to negligence causing death, Police said. (Newswire)
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