Ho Chi Minh City police are investigating a severe child abuse case involving a 2-year-old boy. On 6/5, Danh Chon, 30, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc, 33, the boy's biological mother, were questioned on suspicion of intentionally causing injury. Investigators have requested a forensic assessment of the child's extensive wounds.

At the police station, Chon confessed to hitting the boy's leg with a stick on the morning of 2/5 because the child was "crying and refused to eat breakfast". He asserted that the older injuries observed on the boy's body were inflicted by Truc days earlier.

The investigation revealed a particularly brutal incident on the afternoon of 2/5. While feeding her son, Truc reportedly struck the boy with a thumb-sized bamboo stick, aiming for his back but hitting his head, causing significant bleeding. Both Chon and Truc failed to seek immediate medical attention, claiming they lacked money and had to borrow from neighbors.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc and Danh Chon were arrested. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

The abuse came to light when Truc visited one neighbor to borrow money to return to her hometown. Alerted by unusual signs, the neighbor checked on the boy, finding him semi-conscious, covered in bruises, and with a deep head laceration. The neighbor promptly reported the incident to Hoa Hiep Commune Police. One neighbor also stated having witnessed Truc repeatedly hitting her child with a long wooden stick on prior occasions.

Following their emergency arrest by Ho Chi Minh City police, both Truc and Chon tested negative for drugs. On 5/5, a representative from Nhi Dong 1 Hospital detailed the boy's critical condition: respiratory failure, numerous bruises, and scratches. Doctors diagnosed him with multiple traumas, including a ruptured spleen, liver contusion, pancreatic tear, and acute kidney injury. He also presented with an old fracture in his left forearm, chronic anemia, and a blood clotting disorder. While the boy is now out of immediate critical danger, his condition remains severe, requiring close monitoring.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Board of Directors has directed the Criminal Police Department to collaborate with local police to gather further evidence, ensuring a thorough investigation and strict prosecution in this case.

Quoc Thang