Toddler dies after abuse by stepmother in Yerevan

A 14‑month‑old boy who was hospitalized in critical condition after being beaten by his stepmother has died, Arabkir Medical Center reported.

The child was admitted to the hospital shortly after midnight on March 16 with what doctors described as “clinical death”. Medical staff were able to restart his heart after nearly an hour of emergency measures, but his condition remained critical in the days that followed. On Saturday, the hospital confirmed the boy had succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities said the stepmother had been abusing the child for about a month before the incident. On March 15, investigators say, she attempted to deliberately kill him. Police arrested the suspect on charges of attempted murder, and the case was referred to Armenia’s Investigative Committee. A criminal investigation has been launched into attempted homicide.

The case has drawn widespread public attention in Armenia, sparking outrage over child protection.