‘No negligence’ in toddler’s death

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Women and Family Affairs Committee chairman Asiah Md Ariff said the state welfare department found no elements of negligence in the case of 21-month-old Muhammad Al-Fateh Abdullah, who was allegedly abused by his adoptive parents.

She said the toddler was born on Sept 29, 2015, and was subsequently handed to the adoptive parents by his biological mother, who is a distant relative of the couple.

The adoptive parents, aged 30 and 34, have seven other children.

Asiah was speaking to the media at the Kota Iskandar state administrative building yesterday, following the death of the child at the intensive care unit of the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat at 12.45pm on Tuesday.

She said the adoption was not arranged by the welfare department, which only assisted both parties to complete the necessary paperwork.

The boy had been admitted to hospital several times in the past due to suspected lung disease and his admission in July was said to be due to epilepsy.

When Muhamad Al-Fateh was admitted in April, the doctor referred his case to the welfare department when it was found that only a 14-year-old sister was taking care of him in hospital.

Officers from the department subsequently inspected the adoptive parents’ home and found no elements of negligence.

Asiah said Muhamad Al-Fateh was only placed in a child care centre for four days in April, as the adoptive parents insisted on taking him home.

Following his death, the adoptive parents were arrested to assist investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.