Nizam Syafei was rushed to hospital in West Java, Indonesia, after suffering extensive injuries – and was asked to point out who had caused his wounds moments before he passed away
A 12-year-old boy who died after he was made to drink boiling water pointed out his alleged abuser moments before he died.
Nizam Syafei was asked who was to blame for his injuries and pointed out “mummy” from his hospital bed in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia.
The child was rushed to hospital in the early hours after suffering extensive injuries which doctors found included a scalded oesophagus – he tragically died later the same afternoon.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Local media reported his body was covered with injuries consistent with physical violence and burns. Doctors found he had suffered severe burns to his oesophagus caused by drinking scalding water.
In a video clip shared online, Nizam was seen lying in a hospital bed shortly before his death last Thursday. When asked who was to blame for his injuries, he appeared to point at his stepmother and said: “Mummy”.
His father, Anwar Satibi, 38, said his son had previously been a victim of domestic violence in 2025 at the hands of the woman. He had filed a police report against his wife at Sukabumi Police over earlier alleged abuse, he told reporters, however the case was mediated after she apologised and promised to change her ways.
The report was never formally withdrawn, Anwar said. Nizam was beaten whenever he argued with his stepmother’s adopted sons, the dad alleged, while her other two children were not punished.
Anwar said he was at work the night before his son’s death when his wife called to say the boy had developed a high fever. Upon returning home, Anwar was shocked to see that Nizam was covered in blisters and burns, despite having been in good health when he left that morning.
Anwar said his wife had told him the blisters appeared naturally whenever the boy had a fever. Nizam was taken to hospital in the early hours of February 19, where doctors determined that the pattern and severity of the burns suggested he had suffered abuse.
An autopsy is now being conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Sukabumi Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief AKP Hartono confirmed that an investigation is ongoing while officers await the forensic results.
