SEBERANG JAYA: A nanny has been detained after a 7-month-old girl in her care died yesterday.
Police were alerted to the baby's death by Seberang Jaya Hospital about 4.25pm yesterday.
Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Helmi Aris today said initial investigation revealed that the child's parents would leave their daughter with the woman every working day.
"Yesterday, the child was said to be sleeping inside a swing. When the nanny wanted to move the child, she found that the child was unconscious.
"She then brought the child to the hospital for treatment.
"About 4pm, the child was confirmed dead. According to the post-mortem report, she died of virus infection in the respiratory tract."
Helmi said following the baby's death, the nanny, in her 30s, had been detained.
"She has been remanded for four days, beginning today, to assist in police investigation," he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
According to Section 31(1)(a), any person who has in his or her care a child that is being neglected, abandoned or exposed the child in a manner likely to cause him/her physical or emotional injury, can be fined up to RM20,000 or jailed up to 10 years, or both, upon conviction.