Teen couple facing murder charges after abandoning new-born baby in Melaka

MELAKA: A teenage boy and girl, both aged 18, are facing murder charges after allegedly abandoning a new-born baby boy in an effort to conceal his birth.

Melaka CID chief Asst Comm Mohd Sukri Kaman said police arrested the duo after a medical officer lodged a report at the Melaka Hospital on March 30.

He said the report was made after the mother of the baby sought treatment at the hospital.

"The baby was delivered at the home of the boy's father in Telok Mas at 12.01am on Monday (March 29).

"The couple wanted to conceal the birth as the baby was born out of wedlock and they decided to abandon him, who was still alive after birth," he said on Wednesday (Mar 31).

ACP Sukri said the baby was already dead when the suspect brought investigators to the site where he was abandoned.

He said the father of the baby was arrested at the Melaka Hospital compound while the mother was placed under detention at the hospital ward where she is currently receiving treatment.

ACP Sukri said the father confessed that he had discarded the baby by wrapping him in black plastic and placing him in a box at 3am on Monday (March 29).

"We are waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death," he said.

ACP Mohd Sukri said the couple would be probed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

He said preliminary investigations showed that the two had an intimate relationship since early 2020.