Father kills daughter with mattock

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Local police have arrested a man for allegedly killing his own daughter with a mattock in Laweyan village on Saturday.

Antara reported that the deceased, Dewi Siti Halimah, 16, was struck with a mattock while asleep. The high school student was taken to a nearby hospital but died upon arrival.

A neighbor, Sarmidi, 44, ran to the house after hearing Dewi scream. When he arrived at the house he saw Dewi's father, identified only by his initials SM, 48, standing over her and holding a bloodstained mattock.

Sarmidi then grabbed SM with the help of other residents who had arrived at the scene.

The motive for the murder is unclear. However, there is speculation that SM may be mentally unstable. (dja)