Toddler dies after suffering third-degree burns - Shepherd Digest Magazine

A toddler, who suffered third-degree burns, has died at the Katsina General Hospital after doctors tried unsuccessfully to save his life.

It was learnt that the two-year-old boy identified only as Ahmed gave up the ghost around 6am last Friday, throwing his family into mourning.

The state police command said Ahmed was a victim of a domestic accident which it was probing in order to bring the perpetrators to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

Sources confided in Northern City News that Ahmed was referred to the hospital on September 5, 2017 from Yandaki Primary Health Care Centre where he was initially admitted following the injuries he sustained when hot water splashed on him.

A source at the hospital said, “Ahmed suffered third-degree burns; the hot water affected him right from the head to toe, but our medical personnel tried their best before we lost him this morning (Friday) at 6am. His family has just come to evacuate his corpse.’’

Sources in Yandaki community said Ahmed strayed into the kitchen where there was boiling water, saying it was his cries that attracted those inside the house, including the stepmother.

A source added that Ahmed’s mother had divorced his father, leaving him in the care of his father and stepmother.

Investigation equally showed Ahmed’s mother was not at Yandaki when the incident happened but was later informed about the development.

It was gathered that the police at Yandaki only got to know about the incident when health workers at Yandaki Primary Health Centre demanded a police report before they would attend to the child on account of the severity of his injuries.

Attempts to speak with Ahmed’s father and the stepmother proved abortive as Northern City News was directed to the police for inquiries.

“The police have stepped in and it is better you direct your inquiries at them,” a family member responded in Hausa.

The spokesman for the state police command, DSP Gambo Isah, however said full investigation into the incident had commenced, giving the assurance that whoever was found culpable would be charged to court.

He said, “We have commenced discreet investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and whoever is found culpable would face the wrath of the law.”