A two-year-old boy in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, died in a heartbreaking home tragedy after he fell into a washing machine and suffocated, police said.
The child was found trapped inside an old, upright washing machine that was about 90cm tall and had been kept at the home while waiting to be disposed of.
Japanese police on Wednesday arrested the boy’s 31-year-old father, Yamaguchi Yutori, on suspicion of child abandonment resulting in death. Investigators said the father knew his son was in danger but failed to help for about 20 minutes.
According to police, the incident happened in September last year. At the time, the boy’s mother was at work, leaving the father alone at home with the child.
The toddler, identified as Yamaguchi Aoi, is believed to have climbed into the washing machine, where he became stuck in a dangerous position that led to suffocation.
Police said the father did not take immediate action to rescue him, leading to the child’s death.
The case has shocked Japan, raising serious concerns over child neglect and home safety.
