Stepfather Arrested for Fatal Abuse of Autistic 8-Year-Old
Police have arrested the stepfather accused of fatally abusing an eight-year-old autistic boy in Udon Thani. An autopsy revealed the child's intestines were torn from severe blunt force trauma, leading to his death. The boy's biological father enlisted the help of Pavena Foundation chairwoman Pavena Hongsakul, who assisted with the investigation and secured the arrest warrant.
The stepfather has been arrested for allegedly beating an eight-year-old autistic boy to death. Police raided a temple, seized the child's body, and sent it for autopsy, which revealed a ruptured intestine and massive internal bleeding caused by severe blunt force trauma. The boy's biological father appealed to Pavena Hongsakul, head of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, to seek justice. Ms. Hongsakul contacted Udon Thani Provincial Police Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Prachya Simluang and Nga Som Police Station chief Pol. Col. Sarayuth Chaphu. After the autopsy confirmed the cause of death, investigators gathered evidence, obtained an arrest warrant, and took the stepfather into custody at his home. He will be detained at Udon Thani Provincial Court on Monday, October 19. The boy had moved in with his mother and stepfather just over a month before his death. His father complained to Ms. Hongsakul, who helped arrange transport of the body for autopsy and covered funeral expenses. The foundation also provided financial assistance for the funeral and is coordinating with the Ministry of Justice's Rights and Liberties Protection Department to secure compensation for the family. On October 15, Ms. Hongsakul accompanied the boy's father to give statements to Nga Som police. By October 17, police reported that the investigation had yielded sufficient evidence to charge the stepfather with causing bodily harm resulting in death.
