While a couple in Melaka has been remanded for a week after their seven-year-old boy died from suspected abuse, a 50-year-old woman who had cared for him since he was two months old is heartbroken
Police in Melaka had arrested the boy’s mother, aged 32, and his stepfather, aged 38, after the child allegedly drowned in a water tub at their house during the incident at 4pm on Friday, 29 January.
In preliminary investigations, authorities found physical injuries on the victim’s body. Following which, the husband and his wife were remanded for seven days beginning yesterday, 30 January.
Image via New Straits Times
The 50-year-old woman says that she cared for the boy like her own flesh and blood and is heartbroken that he was treated in such a way
According to the woman, who was identified as Norlida Abu Hassan in media reports, she cared for the boy, affectionately known as Adik, for over six years since he was barely two months old.
In October last year, the 50-year-old had to hand him back to his biological mother, after she expressed her desire to take his son back despite not having visited him frequently.
Norlida said that during the time Adik was with her, his biological mother only came to visit him a few times and they only got back in touch when she tried to get his documentation for Standard One admission.
Describing Adik as friendly, cheerful, and with a pleasing nature, the adoptive mother said that the last time she met him was in November last year and that too, in secret, at a restaurant in Rawang.
“We met him secretly once at a restaurant in Rawang. Adik was brought by his stepfather to meet us, and Adik said he missed Ummi (me),” she was quoted as saying by Harian Metro yesterday.
Meanwhile, Norlida expressed regret at having not fought enough to keep Adik with her when his biological mother came asking him back
“I should have defended Adik, I thought his mother couldn’t bear to be away from his son anymore, so I let him return to her,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“I never thought that the child, who I treated like my own, would disappear in the blink of an eye in such a terrible way.”
Melaka Contingent Police Headquarters CID chief ACP Mohd Sukri Kaman said the victim had injuries on several parts of his body:
If you or anyone you know may be at risk of domestic violence, please call these Malaysian hotlines:
1. WOMEN’S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
24-hour
Contact: +603-79563488
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
2. ALL WOMEN’S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
3. WOMEN’S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
4. TALIAN KASIH
24-hour
Contact: 15999
WhatsApp: +6019-2615999
Email: [email protected]
5. TELENISA LEGAL AID CLINIC
Weekdays (8am – 10pm)
Contact: +6011-23701006
WhatsApp: +6011-23701006
Email: [email protected]
6. BUDDY BEAR CHILDLINE
Daily (12pm – 12am)
Contact: 1800-18-2327
Email: [email protected]