Family members’ statements recorded over baby’s death

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The police have recorded statements from several witnesses, including from family members of the 46-day-old baby who died Thursday. The girl was allegedly abused by her parents in Kampung Tok Panjang, Bukit Tengah, here.

Seberang Perai Tengah police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said he would also call in the couple’s neighbours to facilitate investigations.

Nurul Ain Umairah Muhammad Firdaus’s death has yet to be classified.

“Further investigations are under way, including trying to determine the motive behind the alleged abuse of the baby, result- ing in her suffering internal and external injuries, including a brain haemorrhage,” said ACP Nik Ros.

Nurul Ain succumbed to her injuries at 10.45am while on the way to the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

Her parents have been remanded for seven days, beginning Saturday, to facilitate investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

ACP Nik Ros said the remains were still at the hospital’s forensic unit for dental experts to determine whether the bite marks found on the baby were inflicted by the father or mother.

The victim’s 53-year-old grandfather said he read in newspapers and heard on television of abused children but never expected it to happen in his own house.

“We are all saddened by this and are leaving the matter to the police. We want justice for Nurul Ain,” Saidon, who goes by only one name, told reporters at his house on Saturday.

The lorry driver at a factory here said he lived with his oldest daughter, aged 26, and her twin children, Nurul Ain’s parents and their oldest child – a son who is a year and two months old.

“My son called me on Thursday, saying his daughter was unconscious and he wanted to take her to the hospital,” said Saidon.

“I told him to go immediately, fearing the baby would get worse. But then, he called back a little later to say Nurul Ain had died.”

Saidon said he had never seen Nurul Ain’s parents behaving strangely or hitting their children.

He said his wife took care of Nurul Ain’s older brother before her death in December as the children’s mother worked at a factory nearby.

After his wife died, Saidon said Nurul Ain’s mother stopped working and gave birth to her on Dec 30. — Bernama