OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested a 33-year-old company employee on suspicion of murder after he allegedly beat his 3-year-old daughter to death inside their apartment in Hirakata City, police announced on Friday, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Nov. 13).
Osaka Prefectural Police said Kentaro Kanao, a resident of , was taken into custody on November 13. His wife, 33-year-old unemployed Riyo Kanao, was also arrested on suspicion of parental neglect resulting in death for failing to protect the child.
According to police, the incident occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on August 2 inside the couple’s apartment in Shinmachi, Hirakata. Kanao allegedly placed his daughter, Erena, inside a plastic enclosure and forced her to repeatedly climb up and down a set of plastic steps in what he referred to as “training.”
When the toddler stopped the exercise, Kanao reportedly flew into a rage and violently assaulted her, repeatedly striking her head and abdomen. Erena succumbed to her injuries at around 2:00 a.m. the following morning.
Her mother, Riyo, who currently resides in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, is accused of standing by and failing to intervene, call police, or contact child welfare authorities despite being fully aware of the ongoing abuse.
On the morning of August 3, Kanao dialed emergency services after noticing that his daughter was not breathing. Medical staff at the hospital where the girl was transported alerted police after discovering that her body was covered in extensive bruising.
Investigators noted that multiple contusions were found across the toddler’s entire body, leading police to suspect she may have been subjected to routine abuse.
Police have not disclosed whether either suspect has admitted to or denied the allegations.
