Woman Beat 2-Year-Old Son Severely, Took Him To Hospital Where He Died

A woman beat and dragged her toddler around the house trying to make him walk, a few hours before he died at a hospital, a court in Sydney, Australia, heard Wednesday.

The two-year-old was brought unconscious to a western Sydney hospital in August 2018. Despite best efforts, the boy couldn’t be revived. Investigation began post autopsy which showed the boy had bruises all over his body.

Court heard the toddler had a torn ventricle in his heart and also a torn esophagus. The boy also had “catastrophic internal injuries” consistent with “falling from a building” and fractures to his skull that were three weeks old.

The court noted the prosecution case was largely circumstantial. It included an interview with the boy’s brother, who witnessed the incident, News.com.au reported.

“(The mother) hit him with a belt, sandal and open hand ‘a thousand times’ trying to get him to walk. The deceased had trouble standing and was falling down. She was angry and dragging the deceased along,” the magistrate read out the brother’s statement, adding, "The deceased was crying, sick and coughing during this time.”

The brother, 6, also told investigators that the father was smoking in a bedroom in the house while the assault took place.

The magistrate also referred to a statement from another unnamed witness who asked the woman about the boy’s injuries after she heard people arguing with the mother and telling her to take the toddler to a hospital.

“I’m in God’s hands now,” the mother allegedly told the witness.

Another woman said her family had fostered the boy for a few months following his birth.

“He was the most happiest baby. We do not know much, but it would be amazing just for some closure for our family if someone comes forward with some information,” she said.

The woman, whose name was not revealed, and her husband were arrested Wednesday. While the woman was charged with murder, the man was charged with concealing an indictable offense.

While the mother was denied bail, the man did not apply for it. The mother was scheduled to appear before a court on May 2.