The mother of a child suffocated in Berloz on Saturday was placed under arrest on Monday for murder, the Liège public prosecutor's office disclosed. The child's father was released.
According to the preliminary results of the autopsy, the four-year-old boy was killed between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the night of Saturday to Sunday at his home on Rue de Willine in Berloz. The victim suffocated to death, rather than having his throat slit as had been announced on Sunday afternoon.
Two wounds were also found on his cheek and chin. They were non-lethal, but had been made with a sharp object.
During her hearing, the mother explained that she had no memory of the incident. She woke up at around 06:00 and noticed the death before leaving the house with "dark thoughts."
She was detained at around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday in Visé and was placed under arrest for murder after the public prosecutor found that there were serious indications of guilt.
The infant's father was also heard, but his responses appeared to correspond with the initial elements of the investigation. He said he found his son's body when he woke up at around 9 a.m. on Sunday and immediately alerted the emergency services. With no serious evidence of guilt, he was released.
In their statements, the parents confirmed that they had had a verbal argument on Saturday evening, but without violence.
The Liège public prosecutor's office said the couple had no previous criminal record.
The mother is to appear before the Council Chamber next week.
The investigation is continuing.
