The row of rented rooms, where Phượng took care of the baby, in District 7, HCM City. — Photo congan.com,vn

HCM CITY — A woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 17-month-old child she was babysitting.

Police in HCM City's District 7 took Nguyễn Ngọc Phượng, 30, into custody on Tuesday. She is accused of “intentionally causing injury” to the infant.

The baby died at the city’s Children's Hospital No.2 due to a traumatic brain injury. 

Initial investigations have discovered that Phượng was being paid around VNĐ5 million (US$200) per month by the child's parents to take care of the baby.

She told police that she would often work around the clock and that the child would not stop crying. She also claimed the baby's father had not been paying her salary on time. 

Phượng is alleged to have used her hand and a plastic broom to strike the child on numerous occasions. Between October 31 and November 5, police say she hit the baby hard, in the child's head and face, many times. 

Police are also investigating Phượng’s husband, Trần Trọng Hữu after he admitted that he hit the baby once when the child would not eat. — VNS