A five-year-old girl has died after a violent altercation between her parents at Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region, according to MyJoyOnline. Police have taken the father into custody as a suspect; the mother’s account of what happened, and of a hospital’s alleged refusal to treat the child, remains under investigation.

The child, identified as Elizabeth, was a pupil at Mim M/A Basic School. MyJoyOnline reports that the incident happened on Sunday evening during another quarrel between the parents that reportedly turned violent. Both parents were picked up by police. After preliminary questioning, the mother was reportedly allowed to return home, while the father remains in custody assisting with investigations.

Key facts

  • The deceased is named as Elizabeth, a five-year-old pupil of Mim M/A Basic School in Mim, Asunafo North, Ahafo Region.
  • Witnesses allege that during the Sunday-evening confrontation the father grabbed the child by the neck, slapped her several times and threw her towards the mother; the mother reportedly dodged, and the child fell heavily to the ground.
  • The mother told reporters she rushed the girl to Life-Care Hospital in Mim and alleged that staff refused to treat them because of the severity of the bleeding. The child died shortly afterwards.
  • The Ahafo Regional Police Command has opened investigations into both the death and the alleged refusal of medical care. The father is in custody as a suspect; nothing has been proven in court.

Background

According to residents quoted by MyJoyOnline, domestic violence was reportedly frequent in the household, with the couple often arguing over marital issues. Residents also alleged that the parents had repeatedly assaulted the child. “They have been fighting almost every day and repeatedly assaulting the girl for no wrongdoing,” one resident said. Those claims have not been independently verified by GhEcho.

Witnesses described a serious injury after the fall, with blood coming from the girl’s nose and mouth. Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, the mother said she sought help at Life-Care Hospital in Mim. She alleged that staff would not treat them because of how badly the child was bleeding. That hospital-refusal claim is an allegation; police say they are investigating it.

Police picked up both parents after the incident. MyJoyOnline reports that, after preliminary questioning, the mother was allowed to go home while the father remains in custody. He has not been charged in the reporting available to GhEcho, and remains a suspect under investigation.

Cases involving the death of a child after alleged domestic violence are especially sensitive. Ghanaian law requires careful police work, medical evidence and, where charges follow, a court process. Public accounts from neighbours and from either parent can conflict; only a completed investigation and, if it goes that far, a trial can establish what happened.

What's next

The Ahafo Regional Police Command is investigating the circumstances of the child’s death and the alleged refusal by Life-Care Hospital to provide care. Further updates will depend on what police establish, whether charges are filed, and any formal response from the hospital.

GhEcho does not treat the father’s guilt or the claim against the hospital as established. Anyone with information is asked to speak to the police, not only to social media.