Shocking Thane crime: Mother accused of poisoning 3 girls under 10 years over domestic issues

Maharashtra police have nabbed a young woman for allegedly killing her three children, all aged below 10 years, over domestic issues. The autopsy of three children led to the mother's arrest.

According to police, a 27-year-old woman from Talepada in Asnoli village, Shahapur area, was arrested for allegedly poisoning kids' food and murdering them. Sandhya Sandeep Bere, a homemaker from Talepada, was living separated from her husband over domestic issues. Bere was reportedly stressed over caring for three children, aged  5, 8 and 10 years.

According to Thane police, Bere allegedly mixed a pesticide in 'varan bhat' (a traditional rice and lentil dish) and served it to her daughters. The girls were rushed to hospital after they experienced health complications. The kids experienced vomiting and giddiness and were rushed to a local hospital.

Police said the health condition worsened, and while two children were shifted to a hospital in Mumbai, another child was shifted to a hospital in Nashik. The girls undergoing treatment in Mumbai died on July 24 and July 25; the girl undergoing treatment at Nashik hospital died on July 24.

Khinavli police initially registered a case of accidental death. However, based on the autopsy report on Saturday night, police confirmed the presence of poison in the children's bodies and arrested Bere for murdering her children. 

"Acting swiftly on the crucial evidence, the police registered a case of murder against the children's mother and arrested her around 2am on Sunday," a senior police official said.

The accused had been grappling with domestic issues, including her husband's habit of liquor consumption. She had separated from her husband and was struggling to care for her three daughters, which apparently drove her to the crime, the official told PTI. Police said the woman's in-laws has suspected her role in murder and further probe is underway.