Doctor: Skin from inside Ibthihaal’s mouth torn due to abuse

Pediatrician who studies the body of three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal – found dead with injuries visible on his body in his home in V. Rakeedhoo - testified in court this Thursday that the skin from inside his mouth was torn open – which he said was consistent with abuse.

Ibthihaal’s mother Afiya Mohamed Manik stands trial for his murder.

Criminal Court, this Thursday, heard testimony from Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital’s pediatrician Dr. Abbas Abdul Hameed who said Ibthihaal’s body showed signs of abuse rendered over a long period of time.

The doctor said Ibthihaal had multiple injuries on his body, with major injuries to his mouth with the skin on the inside of his mouth being born opened.

He detailed that Ibthihaal had fractured rib bones, swelling on his privates, signs of strangulation and claw marks.

Dr. Abbas said Ibthihaal was also underweight. He said Ibthihaal weighed 9 kilograms while a child of his age should weigh at least 12 kilograms. He said the possible reasons for a child of his age being underweight was that either the child suffered a serious illness or due to neglect.

When questioned about the cause of death by the State prosecutor, Dr. Abbas said that a postmortem would have been necessary to determine the cause of death.

“However, based on the signs from his body and CT scan reports, its likely he died from asphyxiation due to strangulation or hemorrhaging inside his stomach which stopped blood flow to the organs inside his body,” said Dr. Abbas.

He said that asphyxiation was evident from his body. And that hemorrhaging was unlikely unless due to injury.

Afiya turned down the opportunity to cross examine the doctor.

The judge concluded the hearing announcing that the next hearing would be held soon.

Afiya has already confessed to the court of killing Ibthihaal.