The 12-year-old, identified locally as Nizan Shafi, died in Sukabumi on Feb. 19 after being admitted with severe burns and blunt-force injuries. Police say Nizan told officers his stepmother forced him to drink boiling water. An autopsy found widespread burns, damage to internal organs, and permanent injuries to his lips and nose. The stepmother, identified by the initials TR, has been named a suspect in a child-abuse investigation; it is unclear whether homicide charges will follow.
12-Year-Old Dies After Allegedly Being Forced to Drink Boiling Water; Stepmother Named as Suspect
Nizan ShafiCredit: Tribun Timur/YouTube
A 12-year-old boy identified by local outlets as Nizan Shafi died on Feb. 19 in Sukabumi after being admitted to hospital with severe burns and blunt-force injuries, local media and police said.
Allegations and Immediate Findings
Authorities say Nizan told police his stepmother forced him to drink boiling water. Sukabumi Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Samian said investigators found signs of "alleged physical and psychological violence" in the boy's treatment, according to reports from tvOneNews, The Jakarta Post and Kompas.id.
Medical Examination and Autopsy Results
Hospital examinations and a subsequent autopsy reportedly found extensive burns across Nizan's body, permanent injuries to his lips and nose, and blunt-force trauma to his face. Medical officials told reporters that the hot water also caused severe damage to the boy's internal organs, contributing to his death.
Suspect and Investigation
The child's father is reported to have filed a complaint with police. Investigators have named the stepmother, identified by the initials TR, as a suspect in an alleged case of physical and psychological abuse of a child. Police said she is being investigated under Indonesia's provisions against violence toward children; it has not been publicly confirmed whether homicide charges will be brought at this stage.
Video Footage and Ongoing Inquiries
tvOneNews shared video showing Nizan in the care of a man while a woman repeatedly tries to approach him; the identities of the adults in the clip were not immediately clear in reports. Police said they continue to question witnesses and gather evidence as the inquiry proceeds in Sukabumi.
Support and Resources
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and the hotline operates 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Sources: tvOneNews, The Jakarta Post, Kompas.id, and People.
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