Couple detained in death of toddler; abuse suspected

Aaliyah Johnson

Police have detained a young couple in connection with the death of Aaliyah Johnson, 2, who died Sunday night at the Siparia District Health Facility.

Media reports say the couple claimed the child fell at her home in San Francique, Penal. 

However, investigators told local media it appears that the child endured physical and sexual abuse at the hands of a close relative. 

Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy which they hope will give them the exact cause of death. They say preliminary inquiries point to abuse.

Media reports say medical personnel showed police bruises on the child's arms, legs, forehead and stomach. as well as marks on the her back.

The reports say a female relative told the police that Aaliyah had diarrhoea and she fell while the man was cleaning her. An ambulance took her to the district health facility where she was pronounced dead.

Relatives accuse the man of hurting the child. And the man's relatives are pointing fingers at the woman.