Mother arrested for beating 4-year-old

CEBU, Philippines - A 22-year-old mother was arrested by the police for beating up her four-year-old son in Barangay Bangbang, Cordova town last Friday afternoon.

The mother admitted beating up her own son after hearing rumors that the child licked the genitals of his female cousin, also aged 4.

PO2 Melissa Tampus of the Cordova Police Women and Children’s Protection Desk said they arrested the mother, but they only held her for safekeeping at the police station to thwart any beating that she may also receive from her live-in-partner.

Her live-in-partner works as a porter and learned of the incident through a call and has not yet gone home until yesterday.

The boy is currently in the care of the municipality’s social welfare and development office after he was treated of his wounds and bruises at the Lapu-lapu District Hospital.

PO2 Manfred Maarat narrated that the mother got furious after learning from the sister of her live-in-partner, who happens to be the mother of the four-year-old girl, that the boy licked his cousin’s private parts.

That incident allegedly happened at the back of the barangay hall earlier that day.

At about 1 p.m. last Friday, the boy’s mother took a broom (silhig lanot) and beat her son with it. The boy had bruises on his head, face, arms and legs, Maarat said.

The grandmother of the victim who lives with them sought the assistance of the police after seeing the condition of her grandson. The boy’s mother was arrested an hour later.

The police believe that the boy may have witnessed a couple doing sexual acts or may have watched bold films, and imitated what he saw.

Tampus said the mother was already released yesterday. The police are waiting for the decision of the boy’s father on whether to file a case.

Tampus said a case for child abuse can be filed against the mother. (THE FREEMAN)