ONGWEDIVA - A 13-year-old girl, who is accused of drowning her 11-month-old cousin, has been released into the care of her uncle, police spokesperson for Oshana, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo has said. Aiyambo said the teenager could not be arrested, as she is underage. 

She is however facing a charge of murder. She is accused of allegedly drowning her cousin in a bucket of water on Wednesday morning at Omashekediva in the Ongwediva constituency. According to Aiyambo, the teenager allegedly took the child from a tree where he was, placed him in a bucket of water, and left him to drown. She was reportedly sent into the house to collect a blanket by the victim’s mother who was doing laundry at the time. “She left the child in that bucket and went back to the deceased’s mother and continued washing,” said Aiyambo. 

A neighbour who came by to borrow a match discovered the child. Sources said the teenager claimed she allegedly drowned the child because her aunt, the deceased’s mother, mistreats her and her grandmother. “She is saying she allegedly also cooks food and does not share with them,” said the source further. Investigations into the matter continue.

– nashipala@nepc.com.na