KUCHING: A three-year-old girl has died after she was allegedly beaten by her mother’s male friend.
She was rushed to Sarawak General Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police have classified the case as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Chief SAC Lim Sam Aik, confirmed the case when contacted but said further details will be released by the Kuching District Police Chief.
Meanwhile, Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu when contacted by Utusan Sarawak said investigation is still ongoing and it is too early to disclose more information.
It is understood that both the Kuching police and the state CID have launched an investigation and are pursuing the male suspect believed to be responsible for the child’s death.
According to sources, around 9.00 pm last night, Sarawak General Hospital received a call to send an ambulance to Kampung Rampangi to attend to an unconscious girl.
The child was placed in an ambulance where medical personnel attempted resuscitation before she was rushed to the hospital’s Red Zone emergency unit. However, she was pronounced dead at about 10.00 pm.
Medical staff reportedly noticed suspicious injuries on the girl’s body, including bruises on several parts and a swelling on her head, and promptly alerted the police.
It was learned that the mother’s male friend fled the scene upon learning of the child’s death, leaving the mother whose face was swollen from injuries at the hospital.
The girl’s father, who was informed of the incident, rushed to the hospital before lodging a police report in the early hours, requesting a full investigation into his daughter’s death.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted today to determine the exact cause of death.
By Connie Chieng