Chlorakas, Cyprus. A 37-year-old British tourist was remanded in custody for eight days by Paphos district court on Monday in connection with the death of his three-year-old son, who fell from the fourth floor of a hotel on Sunday evening.
The father is being investigated on suspicion of causing death through a reckless, negligent or dangerous act, neglect of duty as the head of a family, and failing in his responsibility as a person caring for another.
Post-mortem findings
A post-mortem examination by forensic pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou found that the child died from severe traumatic brain injury and multiple injuries to the body and vital organs sustained in the fall.
The British High Commission told the Cyprus Mail it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance to the family.
Investigation
Police requested the eight-day remand to facilitate ongoing investigations. The court hearing was briefly interrupted when the father became visibly distressed while the investigator outlined the circumstances of the case.
Investigators are examining evidence that the father and the child’s grandfather had left their rooms and were waiting for a lift to go to dinner when the incident occurred.
The court heard that the father was holding the child and playing with him while they waited outside their fourth-floor room. A large window was beside where they were standing, and investigators are examining whether a section of it had been left open without the father’s knowledge.
Police are investigating whether the boy slipped from his father’s arms while they were playing and fell through the opening.
