Mother Charged with Murdering Her 18-Month-Old Daughter

In a shocking development, Rowena Raffin, a 22-year-old woman, was charged with the murder of her 18-month-old daughter, Esteer Enaelle Jolicoeur. The charges come in the wake of the child’s tragic death on November 25, 2024, in Roche-Bois.

Authorities reported that the incident occurred on a late Monday evening, Nov 25, when Raffin confessed to police that she struck her daughter in a fit of frustration.

“She was crying too much while I was on the phone. I hit her on the head,” Raffin reportedly told investigators.

The child, unfortunately, did not survive. An autopsy confirmed that Enaelle died from a severe intracranial hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma.

The local Criminal Investigation Division in Port-Louis North swiftly launched an investigation.

During her court appearance on November 26, Raffin was formally indicted for murder and taken into police custody. Police are continuing their questioning of her.

Raffin, who returned to Mauritius on November 6, brought Enaelle to Dr. A. G. Jeetoo Hospital on the day of the incident, only to have medical staff declare the child dead upon arrival.

Initially, Raffin claimed that she had given her daughter something to drink, put her to bed, and later discovered that she was unresponsive, prompting her to seek help at the hospital.

However, following the autopsy report, which indicated that Enaelle’s death was a result of head injuries, investigations intensified.

Confronted with evidence from the post-mortem examination, Raffin changed her account, admitting that she struck her daughter in a moment of anger.

She claimed that after the incident, she believed Enaelle had gone to sleep, and it was only later that she discovered the child was not moving.

The tragedy deepened as it follows the untimely death of Raffin’s other daughter, three-year-old Eliana, just two months earlier, under suspicious circumstances in Rodrigues.

Eliana’s father, Jokunson Cupidon, expressed deep concerns regarding the nature of his daughter’s death on September 19, stating that he was led to believe Eliana had fallen and later suffered an epileptic seizure that resulted in her death.

Cupidon insisted that an autopsy be conducted; however, Raffin reportedly dismissed the idea, claiming Eliana was too small for the procedure.

During the funeral, Cupidon observed a visible bump on Eliana’s head, which raised his suspicions.

With the latest developments, Cupidon now strongly believes that the circumstances surrounding Eliana’s death were not what they appeared to be.

He is calling on authorities to investigate further, even requesting that his daughter’s body be exhumed for a second autopsy to determine the true cause of death.

A Tragic Family History

Raffin’s brother spoke out about his sister’s struggles, stating that she had been living with him for several weeks prior to the tragedy, along with her baby.

He confirmed the recent loss of Eliana and expressed disbelief over the series of events. “She has been through a lot,” he commented.

“There are moments when she isn’t completely herself.”

Source: Defi Media