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Play school owner arrested for physical abuse of toddler

Last Updated 23 May 2017, 13:11 IST
Police in Kochi took into custody a woman on Tuesday, following allegations of physical abuse of a toddler at a day care centre she owns. Mini (49) was taken into custody after a television channel released video footage in which she is seen hitting an 18-months-old boy, at the Kaliveedu Day Care and Play School, in Palarivattom.

In the video, the centre owner is seen asking, animatedly, the child sitting on a mat why he had taken what appears to be a packet of juice. Mini goes on to hit the boy on his arm and leg and talks to the child in a threatening tone. The parents of the toddler obtained the video of the abuse, reportedly with the help of an assistant at the centre, and confronted Mini over the incident. The centre owner who initially denied the charges was cornered by parents of other children, who arrived at the centre with similar allegations.

Police said a case was registered under provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, considering “general aspects” of abuse of minors. Ernakulam North Circle Inspector K J Peter said Mini, who is also a teacher at the centre, used to get “annoyed” with crying children and reacted in aggressive ways. “The parents had noticed bruise-like marks on the child’s body earlier but when Mini was enquired about it, she replied that he could’ve hurt himself while falling. According to the parents, the child used to wake up startled in the night and cry,” Peter told Deccan Herald.

The child started attending the play school in December 2016. Parents of other children at the centre also raised allegations of physical abuse. Police said they were verifying the validity of licences on which the centre is functioning.


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(Published 23 May 2017, 13:10 IST)

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