Bengaluru: The suspicious death of a two-year-old toddler has taken a dramatic turn, with conflicting statements from her parents and allegations of physical abuse, prompting a police investigation.The deceased has been identified as Scarlett Daisy, daughter of Jason Anthony, 28, a delivery boy, and Roslyn, 26, a couple who had been living together in a live-in relationship for the last five years in Kammanahalli.According to the mother, the toddler suddenly developed breathing difficulties Wednesday evening and was declared dead when she was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, the circumstances surrounding her death came under scrutiny after Anthony’s friend lodged a complaint with Banaswadi police, alleging that the child’s mother had physically assaulted the girl on several occasions.In her complaint, the woman claimed she had personally witnessed Roslyn beating the child and further alleged that injury marks were visible on Scarlett’s body, raising suspicion over the cause of death.However, Anthony denied any foul play and said the child had suffered from breathing problems. He claimed he too has a respiratory condition, which was inherited by his daughter. According to him, the child choked while being fed, leading to the fatal incident. He also stated he was not at home when the incident occurred. But, Anthony admitted the injuries found on the child’s hands and body were caused by the mother.Roslyn, on the other hand, gave a different version of events. She alleged the complainant, identified as Samruddhi, currently working for a private hospital, had earlier quarrelled with her and had assaulted her daughter.Samruddhi claimed the child became uneasy after being administered cough syrup and suffered a panic attack. She claimed she and Roslyn performed CPR. On the way to the hospital, the child vomited and died.Based on the complaint, police have registered a case of unnatural death report. A senior officer said the couple and Samruddhi, along with the deceased toddler, stayed together in a house. The injuries on the face were claimed to have been caused when the toddler got hurt by the balcony grills, and the burn injuries were allegedly caused due to a hot water bag used for heat therapy. The body was subjected to a post-mortem, and police are waiting for the report to ascertain the cause of death.
