Should there be a comma after 'me'?

1

The victim also has disturbed sleep and nightmares, said the prosecutor. When his mother hugged him, he cried, saying: “Naughty uncle beat me” and asked: “Why uncle beat me?” she added.

Should there be a comma after ‘me’?

Thanks.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/man-hit-autistic-5-year-old-boy-yishun-playground-jailed-11594842

2 Likes
2

I don’t think so because it’s clear from the quotation marks where the direct statement ends.

1 Like