Bruises are seen on the three-year-old toddler. — Photo provided by her grandmother

HÀ NỘI — The mother and stepfather of a three-year-old girl in Hà Nội have been charged with the child's murder.

The child was taken to Hà Nội Medical University Hospital on Monday with injuries doctors determined showed signs of physical abuse, so they contacted police.

The toddler reportedly died before arriving at the hospital.

Police in Hà Nội’s Đống Đa District arrested the toddler’s mother, 29-year-old Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh, and stepfather on Monday. They began criminal processing under charges of murder yesterday.

According to the hospital, the girl from Phương Liên Ward, Đống Đa District had suffered from cranial subsidence, brain damage and a jaw fracture.

The girl reportedly lived with her grandmother in the city’s Đông Anh District since she was born. On March 5, Lan Anh took the toddler to her rented flat in Phương Liên Ward to stay with her mother, stepfather and a step-sister.

Neighbours living around the flat reportedly said they had heard consistent crying since the toddler arrived.

Lan Anh’s mother has claimed the toddler was abused by Lan Anh and her husband for 24 days and posted pictures reportedly showing the injuries to the toddler on social media. — VNS