crime

Woman held for murder after dropping 3-year-old daughter from bridge into river

33 Comments

Police in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture, said Friday they have arrested a 24-year-old woman on a murder charge after she dropped her 3-year-old daughter off a bridge into the river.

According to police, the suspect, Ayumi Sato, took her daughter Miyu to the bridge on Wednesday night and dropped her into the Nishi River, NTV reported. On Thursday morning, Sato went to the hospital where Miyu had an appointment. She told staff her daughter had vanished.

The hospital notified police who found Miyu's body at around 3 p.m. Thursday about one kilometer downstream from the bridge. Police said Sato has admitted to killing her daughter.

Sato's father was quoted by media as saying that his daughter, who works part-time, had recently been saying that she couldn't cope with raising her child.

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33 Comments
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Why do we never hear about anything being done to reduce infanticide in this country - rates must be among the highest in the world.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Such a shame and waste of lives. And what has she gained after the murder? Now she'll have to cope with jail and guilt. Her family suffers also. No mention of a father...he will forever have regret if he had any relations with his daughter.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The "monster-parent" syndrome raises its ugly head again. I think Japan really needs to implement pre-parenting classes, so give people a reality check. It seems that when reality hits "yes, I have a child and responsibilities", some parents here can't take it

3 ( +5 / -2 )

How can someone raise a child for 3 years, and then have so little emotional attachment, that they can then throw them off a bridge. At least give the poor child a chance and leave her at an orphanage or baby hatch. Did the grandfather attempt to help, when his daughter said she couldn't cope? Come on people, if you need help, then ask for it. If you know someone needs help, then offer them assistance.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I wonder if she can cope with jail?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Just so sad I feel for the grandparents and the child but also for the mother to kill your child is a horrific crime, her mental health must be included in the sentencing of this woman.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

had recently been saying that she couldn’t cope with raising her child.

And, what do her father do about it? No doubt it was something along the lines of, "Shoganai! Ganabatte!" Terribly sad incident! Dont feel anger. Just feel pity that this was her logical solution to the problem.

How many kids have been killed by their parents this month? I make the count into double figures. "Shoganai ne!"

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Another example of the "parents" bringing kids into the world in Japan who clearly shouldn't be making babies.

Just another case similar to the "parents" who starved their 3yr old!

As I said we will be seeing more & more of this as people who shouldn't be having kids are more & more the ones that are, the tragedies will continue

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@wontond

Come on people, if you need help, then ask for it. If you know someone needs help, then offer them assistance.

She did ask for help but her own father didn't do much about it... However, as it has been said before, there isn't very much "help" for people - especially young mothers - who need it. Rest in peace little girl.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I just can't understand how people can do this to their own kids...nor do I ever want to understand

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@FightingViking I see your point, but mentioning in a conversation that you can't cope and directly asking for help are two separate things, at least in Japan. In my experience, Japanese people like to be told/asked directly what you need of them. At least, that goes with the one I'm living with. Perhaps if she had asked her dad to look after the little tyke a couple evenings a week, that would have given her the opportunity to relieve some stress. I agree with you, there isn't much help for young mothers, especially single ones, as I am guessing is the case here.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I'm so sadden when I read stories like this - parents who do not value their children's lives. Three years ago my wife and I lost our 4 yo daughter to a brain tumor. I would have traded my life for my daughter's. Rest in peace Miyu. I hope you and Shannon are playing together in heaven.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

@ idig32 - Im sure they are playing together, and you can join your lovely Shannon again some day. I am so sad to read your story - and of poor Miyu - let us hope for no more tragedies like these. All the best.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Couldn't coup with raising a child ... probably she want more time for her ..!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not understanding trading your daughter for living in a room with bars. Either the grandparents should have stepped up and supported their daughter or she could have given her up to the baby hatch. She obviously cared enough to have a doctor's appointment for her child. She should have cared enough to save her life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hope she can cope with prison. Scratch that -- I don't hope so at all. I hope she suffers terribly behind bars and has every single day of a long, long sentence to realize what should have been completely obvious to her: you do not KILL. Such utter stupidity and such a horrible waste of a life, not to mention the absolute horror the little girl must have felt and how badly she wanted to live and to love. Hope this woman rots.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Makes m so angry, this woman needs to be hanged for such a selfish act. I can't imagine the panic and worry from the child.... she needs her tubes tied and sent to prison for the rest of her life

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Should have, could have, would have. Doesn't mean much after it's too late. Again, we all express shock and disbelief but the fact is some people just can't handle the various stresses that life coughs up. That is all. There was a similarly terrible case in Victoria, Australia five years ago when a four-year-old named Darcey Freeman was thrown off a bridge by her father and fell 60 meters to her death. He supposedly did it to take revenge on his ex-wife. Very sad and one of those cases that you never forget reading about. I recall Darcey's younger brother was in the car their father stopped on the bridge and said to his father as they drove off, "Daddy, we'd better go back for Darcey because she can't swim". One of the saddest things I've ever read. But people need to heed the warning signs so that the number of these kinds of tragedies can be reduced.....even by one.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If you're thinking of killing your baby, give her to us. We have love to spare.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Two lives wrecked in an instant. In a place with such a low birth rate, it would seem a good idea to have more social services support, and people learning it's ok to ask for help. Abe, get on with that, try earning your salary.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Disillusioned "And, what did her father do about it? No doubt it was something along the lines of, "Shoganai! Ganabatte!" Terribly sad incident! Dont feel anger. Just feel pity that this was her logical solution to the problem. How many kids have been killed by their parents this month? I make the count into double figures. "Shoganai ne!"

I'd say you know JP very well. newcomers take heed.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Christopher GlenNOV. 22, 2014 - 09:35AM JST The "monster-parent" syndrome raises its ugly head again.

You are misappropriating the term. Monster parents are overproctective and overbearing, but they aren't child killers.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is just sad. I only hope and pray, Angels were right there to scoop that little girl up. Seems like there are some more social issues that need immediate attention at all levels of government.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What type of mind could be capable of such an atrocity. Obviously one with a defective gene that manifests itself in an absence of the instinct to preserve and ensure the well being of ones off spring at all costs. Not just that but the horrendous things they do to destroy the child. Off bridges, buildings, gassing , throwing against walls, stabbing. starving. These are not sudden acts of emotional anguish or rage or a brief detachment from reality. These are cold blooded, well though out , planned and devised acts of cruelty only an evil mind with zero empathy or compassion could commit.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@menonitemaiden Your comment was very contradictory besides this women killed her daughter. First you said she wouldn't get much time in jail then you said maybe 4 or 5 years then you made reference to some guy killing kids with a crane. Keep in mind you made reference to family crime not someone killing a non family member regardless of how much time a person gets. The good thing is the person is taken off the street to get some kind of counseling or jail time. No we all don't live in Japan nor can we disrespect their laws you live their so exempt what is given for the punishment and stay on point!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

No doubt it was something along the lines of, "Shoganai! Ganabatte!"

Am thinking the same way here. Probably some lame-o comment about being an adult and how it's her responsibility and whatnot. Throw in a few gaman there and this turned into a tradgedy.

As said above, the Japanese sure do seem to kill their own offsprings at an alarmingly high rate. Perhaps someone should look into this? I can to some extent understand the pressure of raisig a child aone and how it is very stressful, but I can never understand how anybody could do this to their own kid. It is such an alien concept to me.

Japan needs to lose this shame/honor culture and step into the modern world.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

In my experience, Japanese people like to be told/asked directly what you need of them.

Wow, a parallel universe. Lucky you!

Meanwhile back in the planet this woman inhabits, her Dad failed to 'hear one and know ten', or 'read the air' that Ayumi, perhaps, hoped he could.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These women need to be held accountable and face the full force of the law and the suitable and adequate punishment it provides. Its called the death penalty. It exists here. I dont agree with it but that is law here and it should be bestowed on these callous mothers for the inhumane crimes they commit. Maybe others will think twice.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Oh GOD! she's already 3 years old, what is wrong with this woman? 3 years old already known what is good and bad ... RIP little girl ! your mum such a selfish bitch.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How could any mother do this to their own child?!?! Poor little girl, so sorry you were born into the wrong family and your life here was so short, RIP

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hear about cases like this way to often, obviously something needs to be done about it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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