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Adoptive Mum Of Abuse Victim Says She Never Thought He Would Die In His Mum’s Care

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.

The house in Taman Krubong Jaya where the boy died Friday evening.
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.

Image via Harian Metro

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.”

Image via Rasul Azli Samad/Utusan Malaysia

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

Website | Facebook | Twitter

2. ALL WOMEN’S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)

Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)

Contact: +603-78770224

WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221

Email: telenita@awam.org.my

Website | Facebook | Twitter

3. WOMEN’S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)

Weekdays (9am – 5pm)

Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340

WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698

Email: wcc@wccpenang.org

Website | Facebook | Twitter

4. TALIAN KASIH

24-hour

Contact: 15999

WhatsApp: +6019-2615999

Email: taliannur@kpwkm.gov.my

Website | Facebook

5. TELENISA LEGAL AID CLINIC

Weekdays (8am – 10pm)

Contact: +6011-23701006

WhatsApp: +6011-23701006

Email: telenisa.sis@gmail.com

Facebook | Twitter

6. BUDDY BEAR CHILDLINE

Daily (12pm – 12am)

Contact: 1800-18-2327

Email: buddybear@humankind.my

Facebook | Instagram

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