PORT DICKSON: Police have detained three male suspects to assist in investigations into the alleged physical abuse of a six-year-old boy here.
Port Dickson police chief Supt Maslan Udin said the three aged between 32 and 36 were detained on Oct 3 at separate locations and have been under remand since.
“The suspects were detained following a report lodged by a 67-year-old woman from Klang who used to look after the victim when he was a baby.
“The woman had handed over the victim to a man in 2021 and had been in constant communication with the boy till recently,” he said, adding that the victim’s father died when he was a baby and his mother then abandoned him.
Supt Maslan said when the complainant failed to get in touch with the boy early this month, she asked one of her children to check on him.
He said that when the woman’s son went to one of the suspect’s house to do so, he was shocked to see the boy with injuries.
“The victim was also crying and left naked on the floor in the house in Batu 4 near here,” he said.
Supt Maslan said checks showed all three suspects, who worked as make-up artists, had criminal and drug-related records.
One of the three also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Supt Maslan said upon questioning, the suspects alleged that the victim was stubborn and would urinate all over the place in the house.
He said police seized a feather duster and a water heater from the house which were believed to have been used to inflict injuries on the boy.
“We have received the green light from the state prosecution to charge a 36-year-old suspect for child abuse.
“The suspect will be charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 on Oct 10,” he added.
Offenders can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for not more than 20 years or both upon conviction.
