A 4-year-old girl died after allegedly being given milk mixed with rat poison by her 52-year-old grandmother following a reported family dispute in Purok 10, Barangay Poblacion Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on the evening of August 13, 2026.
According to the Don Carlos Municipal Police Station, the incident reportedly followed an argument between the child’s grandparents. Police officers initially responded to the family dispute, after which the girl’s grandfather reportedly left their residence.
Authorities said that after the grandfather had left, the grandmother allegedly prepared a baby bottle containing milk and mixed it with zinc phosphide, a toxic substance commonly used as rat poison. She then allegedly gave the bottle to the child before also ingesting the same substance herself.
The child and her grandmother were immediately brought to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag for medical treatment. Despite efforts to save her, the 4-year-old, identified by authorities as “Maya,” died in the early hours of August 14.
PLt. Rufina S. Bayarcal, Deputy Chief of Police of the Don Carlos Municipal Police Station, later confirmed in interviews with local radio stations that the grandmother also died after ingesting zinc phosphide. According to the police official, the child died shortly before 1 a.m. on August 14, while the grandmother died at around 4 p.m. the same day.
The remains of both the child and her grandmother have since been brought to a funeral home in Don Carlos.
Police said the incident appeared to have stemmed from a family conflict, although authorities are continuing to document the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The case remains under investigation, and appropriate charges are expected to be pursued based on the findings of investigators and the grandmother’s condition prior to her death.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the child’s already difficult family history.
Police and relatives reportedly identified the girl as the daughter of Kimberly Achas, who was killed by her live-in partner in March 2023. The killing was reportedly captured by a CCTV camera. Following her mother’s death, the child had been living under the care of her grandparents.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have left the family facing another devastating loss, with the young girl losing her life after allegedly being exposed to a highly toxic substance during a domestic dispute.
Police reminded the public that family conflicts can quickly escalate into irreversible tragedies. Authorities urged individuals experiencing serious disputes, emotional distress, or overwhelming family problems to seek immediate assistance from relatives, trusted community members, authorities, or appropriate support services rather than resorting to violence or self-harm.
The case also serves as a serious reminder to parents, grandparents and other caregivers to keep poisonous substances, including rat poison and other toxic chemicals, securely out of the reach of children. Even a small amount of certain poisons can cause severe poisoning or death.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and determine the complete circumstances that led to the death of the child and her grandmother.