Five year old spends night in Odisha forest guarding dead father, unconscious mother

In a tragic incident from Odisha’s Deogarh district, a five-year-old boy spent an entire night alone in a forested area amid severe cold, guarding his dead father and unconscious mother before seeking help the next morning, police said.

The incident came to light on Sunday when the child was found standing on a road near the forest, pleading for help from passersby. Upon investigation, police discovered that the boy’s parents, identified as Dushmant Majhi and Rinki Majhi of Jianantapali village under Kundheigola police station limits, had allegedly consumed pesticide following a domestic dispute.

According to police, the couple was returning home on a motorcycle when they stopped by the roadside and walked nearly a kilometre into the forest along with their young son. It is suspected that all three consumed a poisonous substance there.

“Dushmant Majhi died within an hour of consuming the pesticide, while his wife Rinki lost consciousness. The child witnessed his parents lying on the forest floor and remained beside them throughout the night,” Deogarh Additional Superintendent of Police Dhiraj Chopdar told.

At daybreak, the boy reportedly walked back to the nearby road and sought help from locals, who alerted the authorities. The unconscious woman was rushed to Chhendipada hospital in neighbouring Angul district, where she later succumbed during treatment.

Police said the child had also been administered the pesticide but survived. He was provided preliminary medical treatment and was found to be in stable condition.

“The child is in good health and has been handed over to his grandparents,” the ASP said, adding that further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.

The incident has left the local community shaken, highlighting the devastating impact of domestic distress and poisoning-related deaths in rural areas.