Young mother among nine held over toddler's death

Police in Bukit Mertajam have arrested a teenage girl, her boyfriend, and seven other individuals in connection with the death of a boy who is believed to have suffered abuse. The incident occurred on Saturday (Aug 26). Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) OCPD Asst Comm Tan Cheng San stated that all suspects, four males and five females between the ages of 16 and 48, were taken into custody separately in the Seberang Perai area on Sunday (Aug 27).

The investigation began after Seberang Jaya police received a report from Seberang Jaya Hospital (HSJ) at 7pm on Saturday about the death of a one-year-old toddler. The victim was brought to the hospital by a man in his 30s who claimed that the boy had fainted and required treatment before leaving him at the hospital. As a result, all nine individuals, including the primary suspect, were arrested.

Tan revealed that a preliminary investigation indicated that the victim’s mother is a 16-year-old girl who is no longer attending school and works as an assistant at a food stall. The young mother left her child in the care of her 34-year-old boyfriend while she went to work, and the unemployed man is suspected to have been the main perpetrator. Two others, a 16-year-old female friend of the victim’s mother and the child’s grandmother, were also arrested to aid in the investigation.

The police discovered that the victim’s grandmother was acquainted with the main suspect and knew that he looked after the child while the mother was at work. Tan further stated that all suspects have been remanded for seven days to assist with the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.