POLICE have asked psychiatrists to assess the mental condition of a foreign couple over the death of a baby girl they abandoned under a rain tree in Udon Thani province on Wednesday (June 10) as they refused to cooperate with investigators, denied the charges and were chanting prayers loudly at the police station, TV Channel 7 and Amarin TV said today (June 12).
The couple, a 39-year-old Swedish man and a 29-year-old African American woman, were seen in a surveillance camera clip to have abandoned the baby girl beneath this tree at 9.20 a.m. and when found at 5.30 p.m. the same day the infant was unconscious and bluish-green in colour. Despite a policeman giving her CPR and sending her to the hospital she could not be saved.
The couple were arrested at a hotel in Nong Bua community, Udon Thani municipality, at 1 p.m. yesterday on charges of premeditated murder and child abandonment resulting in death with their passports showing they had been overstaying in Thailand since March.
The Swedish man had resisted being taken to Udon Thani police station forcing officers to physically restrain him while the woman wept and refused to admit abandoning the baby.
Upon arrival, the suspects requested to chant what appeared to be a religious or sect-related incantation, greatly confusing the police officers. They consistently denied the charges and gave evasive answers.
Police investigation shows that the woman had given birth two weeks ago in Nong Khai with the baby abandoned in Udon Thani.
The true cause of death remains unknown as both individuals refused to acknowledge the arrest warrants, refused to cooperate with the investigation, and refused drug tests.
Police are now awaiting an assessment of their mental state by psychiatrists and the autopsy result of the infant to determine the cause of death as well as DNA test results to confirm the identity of the child
They have also coordinated with the embassies of both countries to allow diplomats to participate in the investigation.
A hotel employee said that the couple checked in the previous day while she was at the lobby counter and agreed to stay for one night after inquiring about room availability and rates. The next day they extended their stay for a second night.
Upon arriving at the hotel, they played tribal music from their mobile phone, featuring string and wind instruments, continuously. The housekeeper reported that they played tribal music all night. Later, a colleague read the news with the images confirming it was indeed this couple, so they notified the police.
CAPTION:
This and Front Page – The Swedish man and African American woman being arrested at a hotel in Udon Thani. Photos – Amarin TV
Earlier report:
Police hunting for foreign couple for abandoning baby who died
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