Parents ‘did not mean’ to kill daughter, 4, Abu Dhabi court hears

ABU DHABI // Parents accused of torturing and killing their four-year-old daughter said they "did not mean to" do it, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court heard.
When questioned, the mother, S?Q, said she did not intend to hurt the child and was only trying to discipline her.
She said her daughter, Mariam, had been "uncontrollable" and had to learn good manners.
She also said that was the only "way of upbringing" she knew of and was used to.
The father, A?S, said he had nothing to do with the daughter's upbringing, and had left that job solely to the mother.
The child was taken to hospital after she had trouble breathing and started vomiting severely.
She died of a brain haemorrhage. Medical reports indicated she had suffered several skull fractures which led to her death.
A postmortem examination found the child was covered in bruises that she had sustained over the years.
Doctors' shock at how thin and malnourished Mariam was led to the arrest of the parents.
They claim the child had fallen, which caused the bruises.
The parents must now appoint lawyers and the case will resume next week.
AAlkhoori@thenational.ae