Man allegedly kills stepdaughter

TANGERANG (JP): Police arrested a 36-year-old man who allegedly beat his five-year-old stepdaughter to death, an officer said on Wednesday.

The officer, who asked not to be named, said Bambang Wahono was arrested on Tuesday following the death of Aprihartini on Wednesday. The victim was allegedly beaten by her stepfather Bambang four days earlier.

The victim's mother, Isroh, 26, said the incident took place at their house at about 9 p.m. on Saturday after Bambang saw the girl playing with other children in the neighborhood of Jl. Pos in the Gerendeng subdistrict.

After taking the small girl from the playground, Bambang, who helps fill public transportation vehicles with passengers on Jl. Satria, allegedly beat Aprihartini and hit her head against the wall of the house.

Isroh said she witnessed the incident.

Speaking to reporters, Isroh, who has been married to Bambang for a year, said her husband did not allow her to take her daughter to a hospital.

"It was on Tuesday that she was brought to Tangerang General Hospital for her injuries," the woman said.

Upset with Bambang's behavior, Isroh went to the nearby Tangerang Police to report the case, after she admitted her daughter to the hospital.

Police handcuffed and questioned Bambang, who put up no resistance, on Tuesday night for his alleged role in beating the small girl. Bambang was named a suspect on Wednesday after police received confirmation from the hospital that Aprihartini had died.

Isroh said that her daughter, who she had with her first husband Slamet, lived with them for only about a month after Bambang had suggested it. He had promised Slamet to take care of Aprihartini.

Isroh said she had decided to file for divorce from Bambang. (41/bsr)