Tam, 20, from Tuyen Quang, was charged today by Hanoi City Police but released on bail due to her pregnancy. Her live-in partner, Nguyen Minh Hiep, 22, from Ninh Binh province, had previously been charged and detained for murder.

At the police station, Tam stated, "I realize my actions were wrong and violated the law. I am unworthy as her mother. I hope she finds peace and is reborn in a better place."

Tam and Hiep lived together as a couple in a rented room of about 20 square meters in Phu Dien ward, Hanoi. Tam brought her 4-year-old daughter from a previous relationship to live with them.

Tam told police that she was already pregnant when she moved in with Hiep. Due to her health, she felt unwell and could not directly care for her child. All responsibilities, including personal hygiene and bathing, were entrusted to Hiep.

Police reported that both Hiep and Tam admitted to repeatedly abusing the girl over a long period. Every few days, they used objects like sandals, brooms, dustpan handles, and clothes hangers to beat the child. During the first three days of May, the girl was also starved, denied food and drink, and forced to wear a heavy water bottle around her neck.

Tam testified that one night, when the child urinated on the bed, she and Hiep dragged her up and beat her. Afterward, Tam discovered numerous bruises on her child's body.

Tam and Hiep at the investigative agency. *Photo: Police provided*.

The abuse escalated significantly on 3/5. That morning, Hiep forced the girl to wear a 5-liter water bottle around her neck as "punishment" for being slow to brush her teeth and wash her face. When the girl became frightened, he hit her face with a sandal, causing her to fall to the floor. Leaving the girl alone in the rented room, Hiep then took Tam for a prenatal check-up and went out.

Returning home that afternoon, Tam saw the child eating snacks, so she beat her daughter and made her take a bath alone. When the child was playing in the bathroom, Hiep entered and continued the beating. Tam witnessed her live-in partner abusing her child but did not intervene until the girl showed signs of stopped breathing.

The girl was subsequently admitted to E Hospital in a state of circulatory arrest and deep coma. She had numerous bruises on her body, with over 99% body injury. By the afternoon of 6/5, the girl died.