KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police on Sunday announced the arrest of a 44-year-old woman for the assault of her elderly mother who later died, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Dec. 6).
At approximately 1:40 a.m. on December 3, Michi Honda is alleged to have beat her bedridden mother, Kikuko, 83, more than 10 times with an metal cane at the residence they share in the Higashishindo area of Hiratsuka City.
Honda, who has been charged with assault resulting in injury, admits to the allegations, telling police that she became upset after her mother soiled the linen of the bed.
Two days after the assault, the victim was transported to a hospital where she died. Police are now considering changing the charges to manslaughter.
In September of 2013, the victim consulted with police about abuse by the suspect. However, a claim was not filed with police. In May of last year, the victim assured police that the matter was under control.