GEORGE TOWN: A woman and her boyfriend were arrested on Saturday afternoon for allegedly abusing her five-year-old son.
The abuse came to light when a team of policemen from the Narcotics Department conducted checks at a room along Jalan Jelutong here, occupied by the 28-year-old woman, her boyfriend and her son.
The team was there to locate the boyfriend, 38, in connection with another drug case under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
During the checks, a policeman noticed the child had numerous bruises and injuries. Further inspection revealed the boy had been abused.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the boy told the investigating officer that he was beaten by his mother’s boyfriend, whom he called ’Daddy”.
“The boy also said that his mother also hit him but did not specify why he was beaten,” he told reporters here today.
Zaimani said the boy was then taken to a One Stop Crisis Centre for further checks, where it was discovered that he had bruises over the left cheek, right arm, and left leg, while there were scabs on his penis.
He said the boy has been admitted to the Penang Hospital for further checks and was monitored by the Welfare Department.
“The boyfriend, a contract worker with previous criminal records and the woman, both tested positive for drugs.
“They have been arrested and will be remanded under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001,” he said.