A seven-year-old boy found dead in Flemish Brabant this week had injuries that may have been caused by child abuse, the local public prosecutor’s office says. The child’s uncle and mother and a friend of the mother have been arrested: the man on suspicion of murder, and the two women on charges of negligence.
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Uncle and mother arrested after death of 7-year-old boy
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Emergency services were called to a flat on Korte Ridderstraat in Merchtem on Wednesday night, where they found the boy’s body. “Attempts were made to resuscitate the child, but to no avail. Shortly before 1.00, the emergency doctor at the scene confirmed the child’s death,” the Halle-Vilvoore public prosecutor’s office said.
The boy had several visible injuries and bruises. According to the forensic pathologist who examined him, these could be consistent with child abuse. The forensic pathologist also established that the child had died as a result of his injuries.
When the emergency services arrived at the apartment, there were three adults with him: his 27-year-old mother, her 24-year-old brother and a friend. Only the uncle is registered at the address. The mother and child are registered in Denderleeuw. According to the public prosecutor’s office, they had apparently been living with the uncle for the past two months.
The three adults were arrested on Thursday morning and subsequently questioned. On the basis of their statements, they will be brought before the investigating judge. The public prosecutor’s office is seeking their detention.
There had been no previous reports of domestic violence related to the family. The mother and the uncle were known to the police, but not in connection with domestic violence. The boy had no siblings.