Baby dies from small intestine leak believed to be abused by mother's boyfriend

SHAH ALAM - A 17-month-old baby boy dies following a small intestine leak believed to be sustained after being abused by his mother’s boyfriend.

Besut district police chief Superintendent Abdul Rozak Muhammad said police received a report lodged by the Kampung Raja Health Clinic on Nov 8 following the victim’s death while receiving treatment.

He said that the incident was believed to have occurred at about 4pm on Tuesday when the victim was left with the man.

“However, the victim was unconscious and had bruises on several parts of his body when he was sent to the clinic by his mother at about 7.30am the next day.

“Post-mortem revealed that the baby suffered a small intestine leak which led to his death.

“However, the cause of the leak had yet to be determined either from trauma or bacterial infection and required to be sent to the laboratory,” he said in a statement.

Rozak added that police had arrested the victim’s mother aged 27 to assist the investigation while the woman’s boyfriend was still being tracked down.

Rozak said the case was being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for ill-treatment, abandonment, negligence or exposure of the child to danger which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or 20 years' imprisonment or both upon conviction.

Those who have information on the case could contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Mohd Faiz Che Mamat at 014-6329916 or the Besut district police station at 09-6956222.