Autopsy: Boy died of snake bite

The three-year-old boy who was found dead in a grassy area at the back of an amusement park in Manduae City may have been bitten by a snake.

Jian Jumawan had two puncture wounds in the right lower jaw. Snake bite was the likely cause of the boy’s death, said Dr. Nestor Satur of the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory.

Satur, who examined the body, said there were no signs of foul play because of the absence of blunt trauma and penetrating injuries.

There were speculations that the boy was murdered.

The boy’s father is currently detained at the Mandaue City Jail after he allegedly raped a three-year-old girl last Dec. 26.

The suspect and the victim’s family live in makeshift tents built in the center island of F.F Cruz at the Mandaue Reclamation area.

Arvin Jumawan, said he learned about his son’s death through his co-inmates.

Jumawan said the girl’s father could be behind the killing if it is true that his son was murdered.

“Nibahad man to siya  (He threatened that he will exact revenge),” Jumawan told Cebu Daily News.

Though it appeared that the boy had a snake bite, Satur said he could not determine the presence of venom in the  body.

Jian’s relatives said they could not believe that the boy died from a  snake bite.

People living near the place where the boy was found said they haven’t seen a snake in the area.

A plastic bag was found near the body.

Insp. Ramil Morpos said the plastic bag will be examined to find out if it contains traces of saliva which would indicate that it was used to suffocate the boy.

Morpos, chief of the homicide section of the Mandaue City police, said the investigation will be stopped because of the autopsy result showing there was no foul play involved in the boy’s death.

Some residents said they feared that the boy was killed by a vampire. They said they’ve been hearing unusual sounds in the area at night.