SARATOK: A teacher’s vigilance has helped save an 11-year-old child from alleged abuse by her foster mother, leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old woman.
Saratok police chief DSP Mathew Manggie said the case came to light after a 44-year-old teacher received a video on Feb 5 containing audio of a child crying and sounds believed to be from an assault.
Concerned for the child’s safety, the teacher checked on her the following day and discovered bruises on her face and marks on her back.
The victim later told the teacher that she had been slapped on both cheeks and struck on the back with a hose by her foster mother.
“Initial investigations found the incident occurred at about 6.30 pm on Feb 5 at the suspect’s residence in Taman Kim Hin. The suspect allegedly became angry after the child asked what items she needed to bring for her weekly mathematics tuition class,” Mathew said.
The suspect, who is the victim’s foster mother and legal guardian, has cared for the child since she was three years old following the death of her biological father in 2019 and her mother’s remarriage in 2022.
During initial inquiries, the child disclosed that she had been subjected to repeated abuse by the suspect over the past year. She was taken to Saratok Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The suspect later admitted to the act during questioning.
The suspect was arrested at about 2 pm on Feb 6 at Jalan Bunga Raya here following the teacher’s report and was remanded for four days from Feb 7 to assist investigations. The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
