“Jae”, the biological father of an 8-month-old baby boy missing in Nakhon Pathom, is to be charged with statutory rape of a minor, while “Pud”, the partner of the mother, will be charged with procuring an underage girl for prostitution, said Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief.
Surachate said that, after over 2 hours of interrogation, there has not been any progress. The mother of the missing boy has not admitted anything. He has, however, notified “Jae” and “Pud” of the charges.
Statutory rape charge
Both “Pud” and “Jae” admitted to the police that they committed the offences as alleged, while the baby’s mother, known as “Nim”, keeps changing her statements and is behaving very suspiciously, according to Surachate.
Surachate said the investigation found that “Pud” lured “Nim” into having sexual intercourse with “Jae” in exchange for money. “Jae” is a friend of “Nim’s” father.
“Nim” was only 15 years old at the time. Therefore, “Jae” will be charged with statutory rape and will be held on remand in Nakhon Pathom prison.
Another extensive search launched for missing baby in Nakhon Pathom
Missing child investigation focuses on the mother
Surachate added that, after an extensive investigation, it is unlikely that anyone entered the house where the baby lived. The mother of the baby also admitted that the man in the yellow shirt, who she claimed took her baby away, does not exist. The mother is now only claiming that she does not know anything. So, the investigation is now focused on the mother.
Surachate also said that doctors at the local health clinic advised the baby’s parents to take the child to the hospital on the day he went missing, after his temperature rose to 39oC. The mother did not follow the recommendation and took the baby home instead.
18 days ago, the baby boy was reported to have gone missing from his home during a daytime nap with his mother. Initially, the 17-year-old mother “Nim” told the police that she saw a man in a yellow shirt take her baby. After over 2 weeks of searches and investigation, police have narrowed the focus down to the mother, because of her inconsistent statements.
