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A 13-year-old girl's life of neglect and abuse at the hands of her adoptive mother has come to light following her recent rescue from a home in Taman Bendahara, Kuala Selangor
According to the New Straits Times, the child was brought to the attention of George Wilson, the founder of Johor-based welfare group Persatuan Kebajikan Ikhlas, by a concerned neighbour, who had long suspected the girl was being mistreated.
Neighbours said the girl was frequently seen roaming their neighbourhood in tattered clothes, scavenging for food. They also claimed she had never been sent to school.
She was reportedly adopted as a baby by the woman and her husband, while her biological father is currently serving time in prison.
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Image via FreepikWhen George travelled to Kuala Selangor to check on the girl, he claimed that he witnessed the abuse firsthand
He recounted seeing the girl return home with a packet of food, only to be verbally berated and struck on the head by her adoptive mother.
"She was bleeding from her temple. I couldn't just stand there," George said.
"It's heartbreaking. No child should endure what she has lived through. And it's shocking that no one stepped in sooner," he added.
He lodged a police report at the Kuala Selangor police station around 6.40pm on Saturday, 28 June.
Kuala Selangor district police chief Supt Azaharudin Tajudin confirmed receiving the report and said it prompted immediate action
Officers arrested the 54-year-old suspect at 8:15pm the same day and rushed the girl to Tanjong Karang Hospital for treatment.
The suspect, a housewife, has been remanded for six days to assist with the investigation, which is currently being conducted under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001 for abuse and neglect.
Police are urging anyone with further information to come forward. Members of the public can contact the Kuala Selangor police operations room at +603-3289 1222 or visit the nearest police station.
