Boy dies from alleged abuse by babysitters

SIBU: The nine-month-old boy who was in critical condition after allegedly abused by his babysitter at a house in Taman Permai here last Monday, died at the Sibu Hospital yesterday.

Aariz Harraz Zahin Azman, breathed his last in the arms of his mother, Hajijah Tahir at 11.55am after he was taken off the life support machine at 11.30am.

The baby was certified brain dead by a medical team at 9.10 am on Saturday.

According to Sibu district police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, the parents had agreed to stop the life support machine on Saturday after a second test for brain death remained the same.

Meanwhile, Nangka state assemblyman Dr. Anuar Rapa’ee, who visited the victim at the hospital urged the public to give space for the parents and family members to grieve.

“We will leave the matter to the police for further action,” he told reporters.

Last Monday the victim was rushed to the Sibu Hospital after his parents found him in a weak condition after taking him from the babysitter’s house in Taman Permai here.

A medical examination confirmed that the victim had suffered internal haemorrhage and skull fracture believed to have been hit against a hard surface or shaken forcibly.

A 39-year-old suspect was remanded the following day after the victim’s parents lodged a police report.

The woman who had been operating the child care centre without a licence had been taking care of the child since August last year. - Bernama