Etah: An eight-year-old boy was left to face an unimaginable ordeal after his mother died during treatment at a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district, with the child accompanying her body for postmortem formalities until the police intervened to assist him.
Police said the woman passed away early Thursday due to complications arising from an HIV-related infection. At the time of her death, her minor son was the only family member present with her at the hospital. With no relatives by his side, the child went with his mother’s body to the mortuary for the postmortem examination.
According to Jalesar Circle Officer Ritesh Thakur, the woman had been battling serious health complications linked to HIV for nearly a month and had been staying at her parental home for treatment. As her condition worsened, she returned to her native village five days ago and was later admitted to the hospital, where she succumbed during treatment.
Hospital authorities informed the police, following which officers were deployed to conduct inquest proceedings and complete the required legal formalities. During interactions with police and media personnel, the boy said he had no contact numbers of relatives and was unable to seek help. He added that his elder sister lives separately at their maternal grandparents’ home.
Through local villagers, the woman’s father was later informed about the death. Police also contacted her in-laws, who reached the village after receiving the information. At the mortuary, the child reportedly broke down, repeatedly saying that he was alone and had brought his mother to the hospital by himself. He also alleged that some of his uncles had threatened him due to a land dispute.
Police confirmed that the boy’s father had died around eight months ago while undergoing treatment for HIV-related illness and that both parents were HIV-positive. Chief Medical Officer Dr Rajendra Prasad said that whether the children are infected can only be determined through medical tests, as it depends on the mother’s health status during childbirth.
The local station house officer said the police made all arrangements for the woman’s last rites. The cremation was carried out around 1 pm in the presence of family members, villagers and police personnel.
CO Thakur dismissed concerns over any immediate threat to the child, stating that the uncles reside in Delhi and returned only after learning about the death. He added that the family is extremely poor and, with no earning member left, the children’s primary support is likely to come from their maternal relatives.
