JOHOR BARU: The 32-year-old woman who allegedly slashed her 18-month-old son and sent pictures of the gruesome murder to her husband has been placed under medical observation at the Tampoi Permai Hospital here.
Police investigations revealed that she had a history of medical issues about her mental health.
The hospital is a social care facility managed under the Health Ministry's Care Centres Act 1993.
Patients include those who require social care including mental patients.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the woman was remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code until March 23.
He said Section 117 allows the detention of a suspect to enable the police to complete their investigation.
He added that based on an initial investigation, the woman had previous medical records of mental health issues and she was now being held at the Tampoi Permai Hospital for a medical evaluation.
"Once the mental health medical report is issued, the next course of action will be taken," he said today.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Imelda Balcin said cases of postnatal depression could last between 12 months from the first year of giving birth.
"Anything beyond a year could be other mental health disorders but it's not postnatal.
"It is best to get a psychiatrist's opinion. It is standard medical practice for doctors to refer patients with any form of depression to a psychiatrist to be diagnosed," she said.
The toddler was the suspect's only child.
She was alleged to have slit her son's throat with a knife, before sending pictures of the gruesome murder to her husband via WhatsApp.
Her family members said that before the incident, they noticed drastic changes in her behaviour.
The usually chatty and vibrant mother seemed reserved and preferred to keep to herself.
Her husband assumed she was merely tired when he enquired about the matter and she declined to say anything.