A 29-year-old woman died by suicide on Thursday in Bengaluru after her 11-month-old child accidentally drowned in a bucket of water, police said. Mother dies by suicide after toddler drowned in K’taka
According to police, the woman, a software professional working from home in Bhairaveshwara Nagar, went to the terrace to run an errand when her child went into the bathroom and accidentally fell into a bucket filled with water and suffocated.
“When the mother returned after collecting clothes from the terrace, she found the child unconscious. Preliminary findings suggest the baby had drowned in the bucket,” said deputy commissioner of police N Yetish.
Police said the woman was in shock and blamed herself for the incident. Later in the day, she died by suicide at the house. Police said there were indications that she had attempted self-harm before taking the step.
A note recovered from the scene stated, “I am responsible for my child’s death. I could not save him, and I cannot live with this guilt.”
The incident came to light around 7pm when the woman’s husband returned from work.
“When I returned home from work in the evening and knocked on the door, the door did not open. I called my wife, but there was no response. Somehow, I took the key from the inside of the window and opened the door. When I went inside, I found my wife dead. The body of our son was lying on the bed,” the husband said.
Police said the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination and later handed over to the family. A case of unnatural death has been registered. “We are treating this as an accidental death of the child followed by suicide. Further investigation is underway,” an officer said.