By Express News Service

BENGALURU: A five-year-old child died after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man in Balajinagar in Thalagattapura on Friday. Police have arrested Chandana (40), the babysitter, and her friend Mallikarjun (33). Police said the child was sexually assaulted on August 17 but the incident came to light when she was taken to a hospital after she complained of tiredness.

Police said the child’s mother moved to Bengaluru from Kodagu three months ago after her husband died. She started working at a private firm and had hired Chandana to take care of the child. A couple of days after the incident, Chandana called the child’s mother and said the girl was looking very tired and said she suspected that it could be due to low haemoglobin count.

The mother took the child to a hospital where doctors said her condition was critical. As the child did not recover despite receiving treatment, her mother then took her to another hospital. The situation did not improve and the hospital authorities suggested that the child be taken to St John’s Hospital. Doctors there examined the kid and found that the child was sexually assaulted. Unable to respond to treatment the girl died on Friday.

Police sources said they have recorded a video statement of the girl in which she said Mallikarjun had misbehaved with her. “The girl has also said that Chandana was beating her up for no reason. She added that Chandana was not feeding her even when she asked for food and would beat her up when she cried out of hunger,” said sources.