Autopsy finds Pampanga kids trapped in car died of suffocation

The autopsy on two children who were found dead inside a car in Angeles, Pampanga concluded that the two minors died from suffocation.

However, according to Jamie Santos’ Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report, the family of victims 3-year-old Darrel and 2-year-old Marvin refused to accept the result.

“’Yung anak ko, yung dugo niya sa kamay, sa damit ta[po]s maraming pasa,” said the mother of one of the children, Steffany Villegas.

(My son, the blood was on his hands, and his clothes, and he had a lot of bruises.)

The family of the children also denied accusations that they had been negligent with the children.

They intend to seek assistance from the Commission on Human Rights and would ask the CHR to look into the incident, demand another autopsy, as well as obtain a copy of the full CCTV footage of the incident.

Meanwhile, investigations revealed that the car in which the kids were found was used by resident Fermhan Pamintuan for a ride-hailing app.

He denied accusations regarding his involvement in the deaths but has apologized for the accident.

“Nanghihingi po ako ng sorry, ng dispensa. Hindi ko po kayang gawin na pumatay ang isang tao din. Kung ano po kapupuntahan ng nangyaring to, haharap po ako,” said Pamintuan.

(I’m sorry, asking for forgiveness. However, I can’t ever kill a person. Whatever will happen to this case, I’ll face it.)

“Wala naman pong may kagustuhan na mangyari yung ganon. Saka sa ibang mga magulang, linangin po nila yung mga anak nila,” added his father, Norman.

(Nobody wanted this to happen. And for parents, take care of your kids.)

Cousins Darrel and Marvin were found dead inside a car in Barangay Malabanias, Angeles, Pampanga.

CCTV footage before the discovery of their bodies showed the pair playing around the car around 7 a.m. before they moved to the right side of the car and were blocked from the camera.

According to the police, the two may have then entered the car.

They were eventually found dead four hours later while their parents were searching for them.

“Pinalaki namin po. Sobrang tagal ng palaki namin tapos ganyan lang mangyayari,” said Villegas.

(We raised them. We raised them for so long and then this is what happens)

“Magugulat ka wala pang isang araw patay na. Wala nang kabuhay-buhay,” added the father of one of the children, Justine Balantad.

(It’s surprising that they’re dead before a day even passed. They were lifeless)

Investigations into the deaths continued. — Jiselle Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News