An X-ray shows nine nails in the baby’s skull. — Photo courtesy of the Thạch Thất General Hospital
HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội Criminal Police on Thursday detained a man suspected of violently assaulting a three-year-old girl.
The child was identified as the daughter of the suspect’s girlfriend.
Nguyễn Trung Huyên, 30, from Thạch Thất District on the outskirts of Hà Nội is now under investigation for “murder”.
The girl was taken to hospital on Monday afternoon by her mother.
Dr Vương Trung Kiên, director of the Thạch Thất General Hospital, said that the girl was in a coma and having convulsions with many unusual symptoms.
Doctors diagnosed that the girl baby had meningitis caused by infection, possibly caused by foreign objects found in her skull. She was transferred to the upper-level Saint Paul General Hospital, which conducted an X-ray scan and found nine nail-like objects embedded in her skull.
The girl has a complex medical history. About five days before being admitted to Thạch Thất Hospital, she showed signs of ear pain. When her family bought medicine for her, she vomited three times a day. Thirty minutes before entering the hospital, she vomited again.
She had a broken arm two weeks ago. Three months ago, the girl was poisoned with pesticides and was treated at the National Paediatrics Hospital.
Seeing the girl in an abnormal condition, Thạch Thất District General Hospital immediately informed the police.
N.T.L, the mother of the girl, is divorced with three children. Her two older children live with her ex-husband and the three-year-old girl lives with her and her boyfriend.
Initial investigation by Thạch Thất District Police suggests the boyfriend may have caused the injuries.
The girl is under treatment at the Pediatric Emergency Department, Saint Paul General Hospital, in critical condition — VNS
