METRO UK: Dad who ‘killed baby by throwing him into river’ charged with murder
Father is accused of of throwing child into the water in his moses basket after going out to buy milk
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A man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing his 11-month-old son by throwing him into a river.
Zak Eko, 22, is accused of of throwing Zakari William Bennett-Eko into the water in his moses basket after going out to buy milk. Emergency services were called to the River Irwell, in Radcliffe, before 4.25pm, following reports that an infant had been thrown from a bridge.
The baby boy was then retrieved from the water in a critical condition, but died hours later. Eko was arrested by police as he sat with other customers in the nearby Lock Keeper pub, it was reported.
Witnesses claim the dad wandered into the pub moments after the boy fell into the water, ordered a drink, sat down and ‘stared’, MailOnline said. Today Zakari’s mum Emma Blood, 22, posted an emotional tribute to her baby, writing that she didn’t know he’d died until she got to the hospital.
She said: ‘I lost my baby today. I love my little boy and did everything for him. I didn’t know my child was dead until I got to A&E. ‘We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him and then I left. Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more. I am alive, although I wish I was dead.’ Eko will appear in court tomorrow, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
Officers are still appealing for information from witnesses and the area surrounding the river remains cordoned off while enquiries continue. Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said: ‘This is an incredibly tragic incident that has led to an innocent baby boy losing his life and we are doing everything we can to support his family at this unimaginably devastating time.
‘I know his loss will be felt by the entire community and our thoughts are very much with his loved ones this evening. ‘A murder investigation is underway and we are working hard to piece together the circumstances that led to the baby boy ending up in the water. ‘Whilst we have a man in custody, our investigation is ongoing and I’d urge any witnesses or anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible so that we can find out what happened to him.’
Metro UK
