BANGKOK — A couple today confessed they beat a 3-year-old girl to death because she defecated on her bed.

Sompong Puangsombat, 27; and Pawimon Pintong, 19; took their niece, Supatcha Pitsanayabut, to the Kluaynamthai 2 Hospital with serious injuries Monday night. Wounds were found all over the 3-year-old girl’s face and body, prompting hospital staff to call police. It was later determined she had been savagely beaten with a plastic broom handle.

Supatcha succumbed to her injuries.

“They were both charged for fatal assault,” said Col. Chanin Wachirapaneekul of the Phrakhanong Police Station.

Brought to the police station, the couple said they took Supatcha from her grandmother to live with them in their condominium in Soi On Nut 46 a week ago, as they wanted a playmate for their own child.

Sompong said he lost control of his rage at about 7pm on Monday after the little girl defecated on the bed. He beat her with the broom handle, then the pair later took her to the hospital, but it was too late.

Supatcha’s body was taken for further examination at Chulalongkorn Hospital.