JULAU: A local woman has been charged in the Sarikei Sessions Court for allegedly neglecting her four-year-old son, who was hospitalised with critical head injuries last month.
The incident came to light at around 3:30 pm on October 21 when the boy was rushed to Sibu Hospital’s emergency ward in critical condition with a fractured skull and internal bleeding in the brain.
Julau Police Chief, DSP Alif Haiqal Ramesh Abdullah, said the boy was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and is believed to have not received proper care.
“Acting on the report, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) detained the child’s 21-year-old mother for investigation under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglecting or exposing a child in a manner likely to cause physical or emotional injury.
“The investigation paper was submitted to Sarawak State Prosecution Office, and the directive was given to charge the suspect under the same section.
“She was brought before the Sessions Court in Sarikei on October 31, where no plea was recorded and no bail was offered,” he said in a statement on Saturday night.
The woman is currently remanded at Sibu Prison pending case mention on November 13.
Alif stressed that police take any form of child neglect seriously and urged the public to remain vigilant about the welfare of children in their communities.
Members of the public are reminded not to speculate on the case as it could interfere with ongoing investigation.
