2006 09: Cops probe possible abuse case involving boy

The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday September 9, 2006

TEMERLOH: A four-year-old boy warded in the intensive care unit of the Hospital Sultan Ahmad Shah here may be a victim of child abuse.

Doctors at the hospital, who began treating the boy when he was transferred from Raub Hospital at about 11pm on Wednesday, spotted scars, wounds and scratches on his body, which aroused their suspicion.

The boy had undergone an emergency operation yesterday because of a stomach ulcer.
State CID chief Asst Comm T. Narenasagaran said police would investigate the case under the Child Act 2001.

He said they would pick up the boy’s stepfather, aged 28, from Raub, to assist in investigations soon.

“We believe the boy’s stepfather, who is said to be a drug addict, can shed some light on the case,” he said.

ACP Narenasagaran said the ulcer might have developed due to the lack of care by the boy’s mother, who has been separated from the stepfather for some time now.

“We received a fax on the case from the hospital authorities on Thursday.

“They suspect the boy may have been abused, due to the marks on his body,” he said.

Internal injuries have not been ascertained yet as the doctors had to operate on the ulcer, which was infected, to save the boy’s life, he added.