OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested a 29-year-old woman for allegedly suffocating her 2-year-old daughter to death in their apartment in Ikeda City, reports TBS News (Nov. 8).
Reina Izumi, of no known occupation, was arrested on suspicion of assault and later indicted on charges of injury resulting in death.
On the afternoon of November 5, Izumi threw a blanket at the girl, covered her with it and compressed her chest, causing her death.
Hikaru showed no visible injuries, but an autopsy revealed that the cause of death was suffocation, police said.
During questioning, Izumi admitted to the assault. “I was frustrated that my child was fussy and wouldn’t listen to me, so I held down her upper body.”
Police are investigating, suspecting that child-rearing stress was an underlying factor.
