Baby dies after aunt's boiling water bath

A newly-born baby girl died in Jeddah after her aunt gave her a bath with the boiling water as part of a tradition performed after the birth of the baby.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident and the case has been referred to the public prosecution which charged her with the premeditated murder.

Al Watan newspaper reported that the police received information from a private clinic where the baby was admitted. The police are investigating the parents also.

It was suspected that the baby was tortured and the mother confessed to the police that her sister – aunt of the baby girl – was the cause of the death, it reported.

Forensic reports proved that the baby suffered second degree burns on the sensitive parts of the body which led to the deterioration of her health and then the death.

When confronted with the charges, the aunt said she did not intentionally kill the baby.

Sultan bin Zahim, a lawyer, told the newspaper that the aunt could face five years in prison if the baby's parents don’t consider it a premeditated murder.

(Homepage photo courtesy Shutterstock)

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