Osaka, Nov. 15 (Jiji Press)–More than 50 bruises have been found on the body of a 3-year-old girl who died possibly from abuse in the city of Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, earlier this year, investigative sources said Sunday. The Osaka prefectural police department sent Kentaro Kanao, 33, father of the girl, Erena, and her mother, Riyo, 33, to public prosecutors on the day. The police arrested Kanao on Friday for allegedly murdering Erena. Riyo was arrested the same day on suspicion of failing to take appropriate measures as a guardian of Erena, such as reporting Kanao’s suspected violence against the daughter to authorities, and leading her to die. It was also found that Riyo told the police in voluntary questioning before the arrest that she saw her husband use violence against Erena several times, according to the sources. The police are investigating the possibility that Kanao repeatedly abused Erena and that Riyo left the situation unattended for a long period. Kanao is suspected of killing Erena by beating her in the head, abdomen and back several times on the night of Aug. 2. Riyo is suspected of not stopping Kanao’s violence and of failing to report it to police or other authorities. A judicial autopsy found that Erena died as her esophagus ruptured as a result of strong force being applied to her abdomen and her lung suffered damage. There were more than 50 recent and old bruises on her face, back, hands and feet. The girl was also confirmed to have suffered acute subdural hematomas and brain contusions. At the time of the incident, Kanao had Erena walk up and down a three-step stool inside a plastic fence about 70 centimeters high, telling her that this was an exercise. Kanao told the police before the arrest that he lost his temper and assaulted Erena as she “stopped the exercise,” according to the investigative sources. Between July last year and the same month this year, the Hirakata city government received a total of five reports suggesting that Erena had been abused. When the city received the fifth report on July 21 this year, it confirmed bruises on Erena’s face. A local child consultation center was also aware of the matter. But they failed to share the information with the police immediately, judging that the situation was not urgent. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
