Ashanti Region Mourns Mysterious Deaths of Toddler Siblings Found Unresponsive in Sleep

A quiet community in Asuofua, near Kumasi, has been plunged into grief after two siblings—four-year-old Friday Akosua Agyeiwaa and her two-year-old brother, Annel Boadu—were discovered lifeless in their sleep late last month.

The children’s grandmother, Patricia Boadu, made the harrowing find around 9:00 PM on February 28, 2025, after the toddlers failed to wake from an afternoon nap.

Medical staff at Asuofua Polyclinic confirmed the siblings’ deaths upon arrival, with Dr. Kusi, the facility’s superintendent, noting a “whitish foamy substance” around the younger child’s nostrils. Police, led by investigator Benjamin Ofosu, swiftly launched a probe, though initial examinations revealed no visible injuries. The bodies were transferred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for autopsies to determine the cause of death.

Preliminary reports indicate the children returned home from school around 3:00 PM, changed out of their uniforms, and fell asleep—a routine tragically ending in inexplicable loss. “They showed no signs of distress earlier,” a neighbor recounted, echoing the community’s shock.

The incident has sparked urgent questions about potential health hazards or environmental factors in the region. While foul play remains unconfirmed, the unexplained nature of the deaths has left residents uneasy. Health experts stress the importance of autopsy results to rule out toxins, congenital issues, or rare medical conditions.

Ghana’s Ashanti Region, while no stranger to child health challenges, rarely sees such sudden, paired fatalities. Local leaders have called for calm, urging families to monitor children’s well-being closely until authorities provide clarity.

Police have pledged transparency as forensic teams work to unravel the mystery. For now, a grandmother’s anguish and a village’s sorrow underscore the fragile line between routine and tragedy—a reminder of the unanswered vulnerabilities facing families everywhere.