A 29-year-old woman died by suicide on Thursday in Bengaluru after her 11-month-old child accidentally drowned in a bucket of water, police said.
According to police, the woman, a software professional working from home in Bharaveshwara Nagar, had gone to the balcony to run an errand when her child went to the bathroom and accidentally fell into a bucket filled with water and suffocated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police N Yatish said: “When the mother returned after collecting clothes from the balcony, she found the child unconscious. Preliminary results indicate that the child had drowned in the bucket.”
Police said the woman was in shock and blamed herself for the accident. Later that day, she died by suicide at home. Police said there were indications she had tried to harm herself before taking the step.
A note recovered from the scene read: “I am responsible for the death of my child. I could not save him, and I cannot live with this guilt.”
The incident came to light around 7pm when the woman’s husband returned from work.
The husband said: “When I came home from work in the evening and knocked on the door, the door would not open. I called my wife, but there was no answer. Somehow, I took the key from inside the window and opened the door. When I entered, I found my wife dead. Our son’s body was lying on the bed.”
Police said the bodies were sent for autopsy and then handed over to the family. A case of unnatural death was recorded. An officer said: “We are treating this as an accidental death of the child followed by suicide. Further investigation is ongoing.”
