A 12-year-old Indonesian boy has died after allegedly being forced to drink boiling water and suffering blunt force injuries to his face, prompting a police investigation into suspected domestic abuse.
The boy, identified in local reports as Nizan Shafi, died on February 19 in Sukabumi, West Java, after he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with severe burns and trauma injuries. Doctors said his internal organs, including his esophagus, had been badly damaged by the hot liquid and that he also had burns on his body and multiple blunt force wounds to his face.
Police said they are treating the case as suspected child abuse and have named his stepmother as the alleged perpetrator, following statements Nizan gave before he died, according to People.
According to investigators, Nizan told officers from his hospital bed that a family member forced him to drink boiling water, and officers later documented injuries consistent with prolonged physical and psychological violence.
Video circulated in local media reportedly shows the boy lying on a hospital bed, weakly identifying his "mummy" when asked who had hurt him. Authorities have not publicly released the footage but confirmed they are reviewing digital evidence as part of the investigation, Perth Now reported.
Read more: 3-Year-Old Child Found After Father Kills Fatally Shots Mother, Suspect Later Dies By Suicide
An autopsy found extensive burn injuries to Nizan's lips and nose, as well as permanent scarring and internal damage linked to the boiling water, police said. Officers also noted several blunt force injuries on his face, describing a pattern of trauma that suggested repeated assaults rather than a single accident.
Nizan's father told reporters that his son had previously been the target of domestic violence in 2025 and that he had filed a complaint against his wife at the time. The case was later mediated after she apologized and promised to change, and he said the report was never formally withdrawn.
Local child protection officials have called for a thorough investigation and stronger prevention measures against domestic violence. Police in Sukabumi say they are gathering witness testimony, medical reports, and prior complaints, and have pledged to bring charges once they conclude their inquiry, as per AsiaOne.
