MELAKA – The state Welfare Department will apply for temporary custody of two siblings of the 7-year-old boy who died from suspected abuse by his mother and stepfather in Taman Krubong Jaya last Friday.
State Women’s Affairs, Family Development and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Latipah Omar said the application will be submitted tomorrow to ensure that the welfare of the two siblings was taken care of.
In the 4pm tragedy reported yesterday, the boy was allegedly drowned in a tub in his house.
Initial investigations found physical injuries on the victim’s body, and both parents, aged 32 and 38, have been detained.
Latipah said besides the victim, the woman is believed to have three other children, one whom is under the care of her grandmother.
“The department will submit an application for temporary custody of these two siblings until the disposal of the case,” she said after visiting the victim’s 50-year-old adoptive mother, Norlida Abu Hassan, at a homestay in Jalan Sungai Putat here today.
The adoptive family hopes that the boy’s biological family, especially his mother, will give them permission to arrange for the deceased’s burial.
The victim’s adoptive father, Md Tarmidi Yaacob, 52, said his family had met the biological mother at Melaka Hospital mortuary today and sought her permission, but the woman just shook her head.
“We pray that Allah will open the hearts of adik’s (the victim’s nickname) biological family.
“Several parties, including the state government, police and non-governmental organisations, are helping us persuade the family, especially his biological mother.”
Tarmidi said the burial arrangement was the only last thing that his family could do for the boy who was considered as the youngest child in his family. – Bernama, January 31, 2021
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