Police probe mother in 11-year-old girl’s death

ILOILO CITY — An 11-year-old girl was found dead with wounds on her neck inside her family’s home in Barangay Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo, on the evening of Sept. 16.

The girl’s father, alias “Elmer,” 47, arrived home from farm work at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday when he discovered his daughter’s body.

Alias “Zia” was found lying on the floor of a second-floor bedroom with visible wounds on her neck.

Her mother, alias “Rose,” 41, was nowhere to be found.

Police Lt. Col. Norbert Sipole, Oton police chief, said an initial investigation indicated that Rose allegedly killed her daughter.

Police estimated that the girl had been dead for several hours before her body was discovered.

Neighbors told investigators they saw Rose leaving the house at around 3 p.m.

Elmer later told police that Rose had gone to her family in Dingle town.

At 8:58 p.m. that same day, Rose’s family turned her over to police.

Sipole said Elmer told investigators that his wife had suffered what he described as a “nervous breakdown.”

Elmer also told police that her condition worsened after a second miscarriage and that she allegedly showed symptoms of postpartum depression.

It was not immediately known whether Rose had sought professional medical or mental health care.

“When she was brought to the police station, she was talking incoherently. If you asked her, she would answer. And if she was asked again, she would reply differently,” Sipole described Rose when she was placed under police custody.

Police said Rose appeared aware of her daughter’s death but did not directly admit responsibility.

“In some instances, she would cry. Then, she will compose herself as if nothing happened,” Sipole said.

The victim, a Grade 5 student, was also reported to have a developmental condition.

Her father told police that Zia had “hyperactive autism.”

Sipole said investigators have yet to determine whether the girl had been clinically diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder and whether she had received treatment.

Police are also awaiting guidance on whether Rose should be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

For now, Sipole said Elmer is torn between seeking justice for his daughter and pursuing legal action against his wife, whom he said has mental health problems.