A ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) member allegedly poisoned his 10-month-old baby to avoid paying maintenance for the child’s upkeep.
Misheck Utedzi (26), who resides in Kuwadzana, Harare, was arrested on February 3 on a murder charge and has since approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.
Allegations against the soldier are that on December 28 last year, he was with his girlfriend, the now deceased’s mother, together with their baby, Shantel, at the corner of Jason Moyo Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way when the incident occurred.
It is alleged, Utedzi put poison into a tub of yoghurt, which he later fed the baby. The child was rushed to hospital and died the same day after succumbing to the poison.
According to the evidence gathered by the police, Utedzi was the only person who had the custody of the minor before she fell ill and there were witnesses who saw him fleeing from the scene, as the toddler’s condition deteriorated.
The police further said a post-mortem conducted at the hospital revealed the child had died of poisoning. Utedzi denied the allegations.
- NewsDay
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