Woman, former common-law husband arrested over death of 21-month-old son

Japan Today -- Jun 25

Kanagawa prefectural police said Saturday they have arrested an unemployed 26-year-old woman and her 29-year-old former common-law husband on suspicion of fatally abusing her 21-month-old son at their apartment in Sagamihara last September.

According to police, Yuki Fukura, who currently lives in Yokohama's Midori Ward, and her then common-law husband, Masashi Ota, currently of no fixed address, suffocated her son Hayato on Sept 22 last year, Fuji TV reported. At around 1 p.m. that day, Fukura called 119 and said her son had lost consciousness. At the hospital, she told doctors Hayato had been sleeping with her but did not wake up.

On Sept 26, the hospital notified Sagamihara police that the boy might have been the victim of abuse. Hayato died without regaining consciousness on Oct 1.

Police said Fukura has admitted to the charge, while Ota has denied abusing the child.

Prior to Hayato's death, Fukura had gone to a child welfare office on a few occasions to seek advice, saying she could not raise a child. A counselor visited her apartment but saw no signs that Hayato had been physically abused.

Jun 25 (ANNnewsCH) - 神奈川県相模原市のアパートで当時1歳の男の子を窒息させて殺害したとして、26歳の母親と29歳の内縁の夫が逮捕されました。 福良有貴容疑者と内縁の夫・太田真司容疑者は去年9月、相模原市中央区の自宅アパートで、福良容疑者の長男・颯人ちゃんを窒息させて殺害した疑いが持たれています。