The latest incident has been reported from Ghattu village of this district, where two kids - a boy and a girl aged 11 and five years, respectively, were allegedly harassed and tortured by their stepmother Sujatha over the last several months, police said.
Sujatha was initially affectionate towards the children, but her behaviour towards them changed when she got pregnant, they said.
The father of the children, Chinna Mallesh, married Sujatha nearly two years ago after his first wife Shenkaramma died due to illness. Sujatha would often beat the kids brutally, local Sub-Inspector Rambabu said.
The boy had injuries on his arms, elbow and the girl a deep wound on her cheek, hands and legs, police said, quoting their sources in the village.
The girl was first taken to a Primary Health Centre and later admitted in a hospital in Gadwal town. The boy has been kept in a hostel, Rambabu said, adding police were probing the matter.
A fortnight ago, a 19-year-old girl was found to have been allegedly tortured by her father and stepmother.
