MELAKA: Police have denied a viral WhatsApp message claiming that a two-month-old baby boy, suspected of being abused by his parents until he lost consciousness, has died.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the baby is now conscious, able to drink milk as usual and is in stable condition under the care of medical specialists at Hospital Melaka.
“The claim that the baby has died is false. The baby boy may also be moved from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (Picu) to a regular ward, depending on the doctor’s report.
“The baby has also been placed under the supervision of the Alor Gajah Social Welfare Department (JKM),” he told reporters at the Melaka police headquarters.
Dzulkhairi said the investigation paper for the case is almost complete and will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor, with a proposed charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children’s Act 2001, Bernama reported.
He advised the public to be more responsible and not disseminate false information that can hamper investigations.
On May 7, it was reported that a couple, both 22, were remanded for seven days on suspicion of abusing their baby in Taman Seri Pelangi, Alor Gajah.
Preliminary investigations found that the baby’s mother initially claimed that her child had experienced seizures and lost consciousness when seeking treatment at the Hospital Alor Gajah, but the case was later referred to Hospital Melaka.
Medical specialists at Hospital Melaka suspected abuse and lodged a police report after examinations, including a CT scan, revealed both recent and past injuries to the baby’s head, along with bruises and wounds on the body and neck.
