By I. Inojales | 06:51 PM August 16, 2026
A 4-year-old girl and her 52-year-old grandmother died after the child was allegedly given milk mixed with rat poison in Purok 10, Barangay Poblacion Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on Thursday night, August 13, 2026.
According to the Don Carlos Municipal Police Station, the incident reportedly followed an argument between the child’s grandparents. Police responded to the family’s residence after receiving a report of the dispute. The girl’s grandfather later left the house.
Authorities said that after her husband left, the grandmother prepared milk in a bottle and allegedly mixed it with zinc phosphide, a toxic chemical commonly used as rat poison. She allegedly gave the milk to the child before also ingesting the poison herself.
The grandmother and the child were rushed to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag for medical treatment. Despite efforts by medical personnel, the child, identified as “Maya,” died shortly before 1 a.m. on August 14.
The grandmother also died at around 4 p.m. the same day after reportedly ingesting the poison.
The remains of the child and her grandmother were brought to a funeral home in Don Carlos.
Police said the incident may have stemmed from a family dispute, but investigators are still determining the circumstances and possible motive before filing appropriate charges.
According to additional information from authorities and relatives, Maya was the daughter of Kimberly Achas, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner in March 2023. The incident was reportedly captured on CCTV. Following her mother’s death, Maya was raised by her grandparents.
Authorities continue to investigate the case to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the appropriate legal action.
