Baby strangled by cradle

MANILA, Philippines - A 10-month-old baby boy was strangled by a cradle (duyan) in a freak accident at their Quezon City home Thursday afternoon.

Frederick Ballebar died when his neck got stuck between the ropes of the cradle, said Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the Homicide Investigation Section of the Quezon City Police District.

Monsalve said the accident happened at a house in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches at around 5 p.m.

The boy’s mother, Josie Alvarez, was busy tending to customers as a helper at a nearby store when her older daughter, Jennifer, arrived and told her about the accident.

Alvarez rushed home and brought the infant to Novaliches District Hospital. However, the attending physician declared the boy dead at about 5:40 p.m. 

Monsalve said the mother executed a waiver manifesting her intention not to pursue the case for investigation.