JOHOR BARU: A babysitter has been detained following the death of a nine-month-old boy in her care yesterday.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the baby had succumbed to severe head and mouth injuries.
Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan said the infant was pronounced dead at 3.30pm while receiving treatment at Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here.
She said a physical examination revealed no external injuries on the child.
"However, there were wounds inside the mouth believed to have been caused by an unidentified object.
"Extensive bleeding in the brain is suspected to be due to oxygen deprivation, and the child was entirely reliant on a ventilator during treatment," she told Harian Metro last night.
Following the child's death, the babysitter was detained to assist in the investigation under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.
Investigations are ongoing.