KOTA KINABALU: A grandmother's tip-off and suspicious injuries found on the body of an infant taken to the hospital for treatment led to the arrest of an immigrant couple in east coast Tawau.
The two suspects, one of whom is 18 and the other in their 30s, were nabbed in the Tawau Hospital compound at around 11.45pm Monday (July 28), after doctors alerted the police to their suspicions.
Tawau acting OCPD Supt Wilynton Enchana Watt said when medical officials examined the injuries on the baby, they found multiple wounds that did not coincide with a fall, as claimed by the parents.
He said the couple and the infant’s grandmother had brought the child to the hospital to get her injuries treated and told the doctor that the baby fell.
“However, doctors found bruising on her forehead, bite marks on her cheek and swelling at the back of her head. The grandmother also quietly told the doctor that she believed the injuries were inflicted by the couple.
“Medical officials immediately alerted police,” Supt Wilynton said in a statement, adding that the couple was nabbed shortly after.
The case is being investigated under the Children’s Act 2001 for alleged abuse on a child and under the Immigrations Act 1959/63 as the couple did not possess any travel or identification documents, he said.
He commended the Tawau Hospital staff for taking fast action in calling the cops after seeing the injuries on the infant.
“We will not compromise on any form of child abuse and urge anyone who suspect or know of such incidents to report to police for action to be taken,” said Supt Wilynton.
