SAPPORO -- A woman in her 40s was arrested on Oct. 19 on suspicion of assaulting her elementary school-aged stepdaughter after the girl's death was confirmed the previous day.

The stepdaughter was unconscious when she was taken to the hospital, where she was later confirmed dead. Police are investigating the incident with the possibility of upgrading the accusations from assault to assault causing death.

The woman is suspected of repeatedly punching and kicking and injuring her daughter's abdomen at their home in Otaru, Hokkaido, between Oct. 17 and 18. The suspect has reportedly admitted to the charges, saying, "There're no doubt about them."

According to the police, the victim was her husband's daughter from a previous marriage. Around midday on Oct. 18, a family member who lives with them found the girl collapsed inside their home and called emergency services. The hospital where the girl was taken contacted the police, and after officers spoke with the parents, they determined that the woman was involved in the assault.

The police are investigating the connection between the assault and the girl's death, and are also considering the possibility that the girl had been habitually abused.

(Japanese original by Karen Goto, Hokkaido News Department)