Police at Nathenje in Lilongwe have arrested a 26-year-old man, Luwashi Bakali, on suspicion of beating his two-year-old stepson to death on December 25.

Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu confirmed the incident to Times 360 Malawi, stating that the police had received reports of Bakali allegedly abusing the child.

“On the day of the incident, the boy’s mother was bathing, leaving the child inside the house to sleep. Upon returning, she found the child outside and unconscious, seemingly due to being beaten. The couple rushed the child to Nkhoma Hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” said Chigalu.

According to a medical report, the child succumbed to severe injuries, including internal bleeding caused by excessive trauma.

The couple had reportedly been living together for a few months. Bakali is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges related to the child’s death.