TAIPING: A six-month-old girl died at Taiping Hospital here yesterday after she was believed to have been abused by her 21-year-old father.
Nur Khayra Mohamad Amirul Asnil was pronounced dead at 7.30am while receiving treatment at the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Taiping district police chief Assistant Commisioner Mohamad Taib said the baby was taken to the hospital by her parents, aged 19 and 21, on Friday.
"The parents had claimed that their daughter had fallen from the cradle at their home in Kampung Paya Baru, Tekah.
"Based on the doctor's report, the baby had lost conscious upon arrival at the hospital and when the doctor questioned the parents, they said the baby had fallen from the cradle.
"The baby was treated at NICU and was given resuscitation before a CT scan result showed there was bleeding in her brain and eyes," he said at a press conference here today.
Mohamad said further physical checks on the baby showed there were no bruises.
"After thoroughly examining the baby, the doctor believed there was elements of abuse, whether intentionally or otherwise.
"The baby died about 7.30pm yesterday and a police report was lodged by the hospital. The body of the baby was taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital for a post-mortem," he said.
Mohamad said the post-mortem showed that the baby died due to blunt force trauma to the head.
"Following this, police will trace the father who works at the canteen of a factory here to assist in investigation.
"Initial investigation revealed that the incident took place at the mother's family home where only the father and daughter were at home at that time," he said.
Mohamad said the baby's grandparents were not home as both were working, while the mother had left for the hospital to send food to her relative.
"The baby was left alone with her father. About 3pm, the father had called his wife saying that their daughter had lost consciousness after falling from the cradle.
"Further checks on the father showed that he had a criminal record for having stolen a vehicle," he added.
The case was being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for negligence and exposing a child to injury which carries an imprisonment of up to 10 years or fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother, who refused to be named, said her husband told her that their daughter had a seizure and it caused her to fall from the swing.
"Upon arrival, I saw my daughter's face was blue and I immediately drove her to the hospital.
"I don't think my husband would do such thing (abuse) to my youngest daughter and I believe that she died due to falling from the cradle after having a seizure," she said when met at her home.