Police: Child dies due to negligence

IPOH: An 18-month-old baby boy died one week after he was admitted to the paediatric ward of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital following injuries and bleeding in the head at his babysitter's house in Dataran Rapat Baru here today.

Muhammad Khalish Hadif Kamarul Zaman Shah succumbed to the injuries at 11am.

Ipoh City deputy district police chief Superintendent Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq said the infant was sent to a nearby clinic by the babysitter after he suffered breathing difficulties on July 1.

"Initial investigation revealed that the victim received treatment after his head hit a table and became unconscious.

"We have received a report from doctors which stated that there was bleeding in the head," he added.

Ahmad Termizi said police have not arrested the babysitter aged 34.

"We will investigate from all angles, including negligence."

The case is being investigated under Section 31 (1) of the Child Act 2001 for abuse.

Meanwhile, the infant's grandmother known as Napisah, 70, when met at the hospital's forensic unit said she was shocked to learn that her grandchild had been admitted in an unconscious condition.

"I last saw the baby boy while holidaying with family members in Bachok, Kelantan recently.

"It was more saddening to see the ventilator being removed after doctors informed the family there was no hope for the child to live."

She expressed her disappointment that the babysitter never visited the boy who had been under her care for a month.

"We have yet to talk to her to find what really happened.. let the police investigate the case."