BESUT: Police have arrested a 38-year-old labourer on suspicion of abusing and causing the death of his five-year-old stepson at his house here today.
District police chief Superintendent Mohd Zamri Mohd Rowi said the suspect from Felda Tenang in Pasir Akar, was picked up soon after a 35-year-old assistant health officer lodged a report at the Jerteh police station at 5.30am.
He said the suspect had sent the victim, Muhammad Hairil Amshar Abdul Rahman, who was already lifeless, to the Besut Hospital at 3.30am.
"According to the officer, the suspect claimed the boy sustained bruises after falling from his motorcycle when he took him for a ride earlier.
"The suspect also claimed that the boy was crushed by a vehicle.
"However, checks showed the presence of several bruise marks on the deceased's body. The officer, suspecting that the marks were signs of abuse, then lodged a police report," he said today.
Police added that a post-mortem will be conducted at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow.
Initial investigation showed that the suspect had lodged a report about the incident at the Pasir Akar police station earlier. Zamri said police also found out that suspect had a previous criminal record and drug-related offence.
He said the suspect is being remanded to assist investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Police also recorded a statement from the boy's 21-year-old mother.