JOHOR BARU: A seven-year-old boy, who was allegedly abused by his mother and her friend in Bandar Layangkasa, Pasir Gudang, will be placed under the care of his family members once he has recovered.
State women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin Nisa Ismail said a medical report showed that the injuries on the boy were inflicted using a cane.
“I visited the boy at Hospital Sultan Ismail on Sunday.
“He seems to be very happy and (will be placed) under the care of his 27-year-old father, uncle and grandfather, who arrived from Kedah.
“However, the boy will only be handed over to them once he has recovered and been discharged,” she said when contacted yesterday.
The state government also handed over some donations to the family and celebrated the child’s birthday during the visit, she added.
Earlier, Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said two canes were seized from the house.
Comm Kamarul said the boy’s mother, 27, and a foreign woman, 30, were arrested at 12.30am on Saturday.
He said the mother was currently under remand for six days until Thursday while the other suspect till Friday.
According to earlier reports, the boy’s incessant cries had worried neighbours, who went to the house to check on him.
When the mother and her friend gave excuses why they could not see the boy, the neighbours alerted the police.
Previously, several video recordings and photos went viral showing public members storming a house, believed to be rescuing a child suspected of being abused by the biological mother and a friend.
Meanwhile in Melaka, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Johor Social Welfare Department (JKM) had been doing background work to find out which next of kin would take care of the child in question, Bernama reported.
“The final decision will be made once the child is discharged from the hospital. However, the preparatory work has already been done by the JKM,” she said.
Nancy told reporters this after officiating at the Kasih KPWKM@Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Roadtour programme in Ayer Keroh yesterday.
