The Da Nang People's Court opened the first-instance trial on August 6, hearing charges against To Thi Ty Na, 45, of Thang Binh Commune, on counts of murder and insurance fraud.

According to the indictment, Na previously served a prison sentence for theft before completing her punishment in 2008. She later married and had four children.

After her husband died in 2020, prosecutors said she was left to raise the children alone without stable employment or income. She reportedly sold the family home for VND1.2 billion (about US$45,900), but later exhausted the proceeds.

Investigators allege that she then devised a plan to profit from life insurance policies purchased for her children.

According to prosecutors, Na bought seven life insurance policies covering her four children, paying annual premiums totaling more than VND100 million (US$3,800) while naming herself as the beneficiary.

Her youngest son, identified as N.V.H., born in 2017, was covered by two separate policies issued by life insurers Generali and FWD.

Prosecutors allege that on the evening of January 2, 2023, Na killed the child before staging the scene to resemble an accidental drowning.

She subsequently submitted insurance claims to both companies and allegedly received payouts totaling more than VND4.1 billion (US$157,000).

According to the indictment, the money was later used for personal purposes.

The trial is continuing with witness testimony and courtroom arguments.

Ho Giap