A nine-year-old boy in Mulhouse, eastern France were allegedly beaten to death by his own family after he refused to do his homework. According to the police, the boy after being violently beaten and struck with blunt objects such as a broomstick.

Although the violent incident occurred two months ago, on 17 Sept, details are only emerging now.

According to the local press, the boy’s siblings called emergency services to their home after failing to revive the young child. The boy was found dead and his 20-year-old sister, 19-year-old brother, and the brother’s pregnant wife were all arrested.

The incident unfolded while the siblings’ mother was not home – she had been travelling to Paris at the time. Despite this, she has also been placed in police custody.

The public prosecutor’s office found that the boy was violently beaten while the medical examiner said that a forensic examination showed disturbing signs on the boy’s dead body. Prosecutors have just launched a criminal investigation into the incident, although it is unclear whether any of the four suspects have been charged as yet,

Investigations are ongoing.