SEREMBAN: Police have arrested a woman to assist in investigations into the alleged abuse of her 13-year-old adopted child in Kuala Klawang, Jelebu.
Jelebu district police chief Supt Azizan Said said a Social Welfare Department officer lodged a report on the incident involving the Form One student via Talian Kasih.
He said the 35-year-old suspect, who has two biological children aged five years and seven months, respectively, was arrested on June 16.
"Initial investigations revealed that the victim has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is categorised as a person with a disability, and has been under the suspect's care since he was six.
"The boy said he would be beaten if he was late or failed to follow instructions. The victim also complained that he was frequently shouted at, cursed at, and hit with objects like clothes hangers," he said in a statement on Monday (July 7).
Azizan said the victim also claimed he was beaten with the metal extension tube of a vacuum cleaner, resulting in bruises on several parts of his body, including the elbow, wrist and back, while getting ready for his school sports day on June 14.
He said the department later rescued the boy after it received an email from a woman reporting a case of child abuse at the house.
According to him, the victim was taken to Jelebu Hospital for examination, and a medical report confirmed that the injuries were caused by a blunt rod-shaped object and were believed to have been sustained within three days prior to the check-up.
Azizan said police were still waiting for the full medical report and that further investigations were ongoing to determine whether the injuries were due to abuse or resulted from the victim's hyperactive behaviour.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children's Act 2001. – Bernama
