3-year-old girl's death due to abuse; father suspected of murder due to anger over interruption of walking training

In a case in which the parents were arrested in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, for allegedly abusing and causing the death of their 3-year-old eldest daughter, interviews with investigators revealed that the father had made statements to the Osaka Prefectural Police before his arrest, saying, ``I became angry and assaulted her because she interrupted walking training.''

At first, the explanation given was that ``my eldest daughter fell on her own.''

Prefectural police arrested Kentaro Kanao (33), her father and an office worker, on the 13th, after suspecting her of murder based on these statements and the doctor's findings on the body.

The suspect was arrested on the night of August 2nd at his home in Hirakata City, where he assaulted his eldest daughter Erena (3 years old at the time) and killed her by punching her multiple times in the head and stomach.

Prefectural police believe, based on Kentaro's statements and other information, that just before the assault, he placed Erena in a space surrounded by a fence approximately 70 centimeters in height, and made her go up and down a three-step plastic step stool under the guise of "training."

Prefectural police also arrested Riyo, 33, the unemployed mother of the child, on suspicion of causing death by abandoning the child's guardian.

As a result of the judicial autopsy, doctors determined that the cause of death was damage to internal organs caused by strong force applied to the abdomen.

There were dozens of bruises on Erena's body. Prefectural police suspect that the abuse was repeated on a daily basis and are conducting a detailed investigation.

Parent and child watching fireworks together

The incident occurred in a room in an apartment complex...