Scene of the crime: The apartment complex in Sungai Ara where the pre-teen was living with her parents. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Girl, 12, caned and caged for every little mistake
BALIK PULAU: For three years since she was just nine, a girl here was caned and locked up in a dog cage for every little mistake she made – and the abusers were her parents.
The girl, now 12, was repeatedly caned, with the most recent incident happening on Sunday after she mistakenly placed her food in her cupboard.
“The victim also claimed she was put in a dog cage for committing mistakes,” Balik Pulau OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam.
The horrifying case came to light when a counsellor at a primary school in Sungai Ara noticed signs of pain and distress in the girl’s behaviour and physical condition.
The counsellor alerted the headmaster, who immediately reported the matter to the relevant authorities. Child protection officers have since intervened, and both parents have now been remanded.
The girl, who had blue-black bruises and welts on her hands and back, is now under the care of the Welfare Department, with a child protection officer watching over her.
State welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said she is receiving treatment at Penang Hospital and is in stable condition.
Lim said the parents, who came to give their statements at the Balik Pulau police headquarters, have since been remanded.
“The 47-year-old father admitted to physically hurting the child, while the mother denied any involvement in the confinement,” he added.
Both parents have been barred from visiting the child at the hospital after her revelations.
Lim said the victim’s 15-year-old sibling, who is now with their grandmother, will also be evaluated by welfare department officers.
She said efforts are currently underway to trace other relatives who could care for the children.
“I deeply appreciate the swift action taken by the school, the social welfare department, the police and the medical team,” she said, adding that the state government takes all child abuse cases seriously.
She stressed that there is no place for neglect, abuse or violence in society.
ACP Sazalee said the father has been remanded from Wednesday to today.
The mother was remanded from Thursday to tomorrow, he added.
Police are investigating the case under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
