Police: Ibthihaal was not fed the day before his death

Police has said that the investigation has showed that the three-year-old Ibthihaal found dead in Rakeedhoo was not fed on the day before his death other than a glass of juice.

Speaking to the press today, the head of the Police Serious and Organized Crime Department, Superintendent Abdulla Satheeh said on that day, Ibthihaal was fed by his stepfather after sunset.

“On the day before Mohamed Ibthihaal’s death, investigation has showed that other than the glass of juice given to Mohamed Ibthihaal by Aafiya Mohamed Manik on the morning of 27 January 2015, until his stepfather came to the house after sunset and fed him, Mohamed Ibthihaal did not eat or drink anything.” Superintendent Satheeh said.

The Superintendent said that while Aafiya had four other children, she only isolated Ibthihaal. And she treated differently when it came to Ibthihaal.

“Looking at the evidence gathered in the investigation, we know that Aafiya Mohamed Manik only abused Mohamed Ibthihaal and was treated very differently from her other children. And so while feeding the other children, as of late, has been careless while feeding Mohamed Ibthihaal and keeping him unhygienic throughout the day.” Superintendent said.

He also said that the investigation revealed that the main reason Aafiya abused Ibthihaal was the gossip in the island about herself and Ibthihaal which created a hatred towards Ibthihaal.

Satheeh said that the investigation showed that aside from the abuse at the hand of Aafiya, Ibthihaal suffered physical and psychological abuse at the hand of different people over a long period of time.

According to the coroner’s report, the Superintendent said that Ibthihaal had ligature marks on his neck that indicates strangulation and bruising near his ear towards the forehead.

He also said that Ibthihaal’s face showed signs of other minor injuries and along with the bruising on the right ear, there are signs of repeated abuse all over his body with broken bones on his chest.