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Police are investigating the death of an 8-month-old baby girl who was found unconscious while under her babysitter's care in Perlis
According to Bernama, the infant reportedly became weak and unresponsive at the babysitter's home on 15 April.
Arau district police chief Supt Ahmad Mohsin Md Rodi said the 35-year-old babysitter contacted the child's mother at 5.16pm that day, after which the baby was taken to the Arau Health Clinic.
Following an initial examination, the child was referred to the Emergency Unit at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar.
At the hospital, a medical officer found bruising on the left side of the baby's forehead and noted that she was experiencing seizures upon arrival. A CT scan later revealed brain swelling and bleeding, and she was subsequently referred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for surgery.
The baby was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at the hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at 3.08pm on 22 April.
The victim's mother, Aisyawati Isa, 34, and father, Mohamad Zaer Wafar Che Mat Zaidin, 34, are now seeking answers over what happened to their second child, Aufa Zayyana
Aisyawati said she had sent her daughter to the babysitter in good health at 6.45am on 15 April.
However, police said the mother had previously noticed bruises on the baby's nose and forehead on 7 April after picking her up from the babysitter's home. The babysitter had allegedly claimed the child fell and hit a television rack after being held by her 6-year-old child.
Aisyawati did not seek medical attention at the time as her baby appeared normal and active.
The babysitter was arrested on 16 April to assist in investigations and was later released on police bail
Police are continuing investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for suspected child abuse and neglect.
Ahmad Mohsin added that a post-mortem conducted on 23 April found subdural haemorrhage in the baby's brain, particularly on the left side, caused by blunt force trauma to the head.
"No injuries were found on the neck, chest, or abdomen. The age of the subdural haemorrhage will be determined through a histopathology test, which is expected to take several weeks," he said.
