A 22-year-old migrant worker from Bihar was arrested today on charges of sexually assaulting and murdering an eight-month-old baby near Negamum, in Coimbatore.

The baby was found dead with bleeding injuries on its head and vital organs yesterday evening, at Kondekoundanpalayam village, where nearly 25 families hailing from Bihar were staying and working in private textile and coir units.

All the families and their members, except one, were present during the investigations, that went on till late into the night. Police began searching for the missing worker, Sanjith, and found him this morning, waiting for bus to go to the railway station.

He was taken into custody. During interrogation, he is said to have confessed to the crime. When he found the baby lying alone, he attempted to sexually assault her. The baby started to cry when she began to bleed, he told the police.

In a fit of rage, he lifted the baby by her feet and banged her head on the floor, killing her instantly, Sanjith told the police.

The infant’s body was taken to the Coimbatore Government Hospital for post mortem. Sanjith was produced before the court.