Jealous father spanks 3-year son to death

A three-year-old boy, Mawuko Nyaku met his untimely death last Monday after his 30-year-old father, Boafo Ofori Nyaku locked him up in his room and beat him for going to his mother whom he had divorced.

The DAILY GUIDE newspaper which reported the incident, said it learnt that Mawuko, who fractured his left arm, asked for water and died immediately after taking the water on Monday evening.
Confirming the incident to the paper at Anyirawasi, the District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Richard Gyebi revealed that little Mawuko, his father and mother were all residents of Dzogbefeme near Vane in the Ho municipality.

The suspect, he noted, divorced his wife some four months ago but the boy continued to stay with the father until that fateful Monday when the suspect saw Mawuko with the mother.

The suspect allegedly dragged the son from his mother, took him to his house, locked him up and beat the three-year old boy who cried loud for mercy from his father.

Ofori however ignored the poor boy's plea and continued to beat him until some neighbours heard the helpless scream of Mawuko.

When the neighbours got to the entrance, he noted, the suspect had locked the door and when all appeals to him to open the door failed, they broke it down and rescued the boy who was gasping for breath and in tears.

DSP Gyebi further revealed that the neighbours realized the severe injuries of the deceased and rushed him to the mother who in turn rushed him to the Vane Nazareth Clinic, where he was treated and discharged.

However, on reaching the house, the poor boy requested for water and died immediately after taking the water.

A report was later made to the Police, who arrested the accused person for investigations.

The body of the deceased was deposited at the Ho Municipal Hospital morgue for autopsy pending further investigations.

The suspect was arraigned before a Ho circuit Court on Friday and is to reappear on October 22, this year.

DSP Gyebi urged parents to be patient with their children and stop transferring their matrimonial problems to their innocent children, adding "Children belong to the state and the law would deal with parents who abuse their rights. Look at how this little boy has lost his life. He might have been an important person in the future."