TAWAU: A 57-year-old local woman, regarded as part of the victim’s family, has been arrested on suspicion of abusing a one-year-and-three-month-old girl in an incident at a house in Taman Semarak.
Tawau District Police Chief, Jasmin Hussin, said the suspect was detained at about 3.45pm on Sunday in Kampung Pangkalan Asli, Merotai Besar, following a report lodged by the child’s mother.
He said the report was made after the mother viewed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage allegedly showing the suspect behaving inappropriately towards the child.
“The victim’s mother claimed she saw the suspect committing inappropriate actions towards her child while she was at work.
“The CCTV footage obtained also showed several acts believed to have taken place on the victim while under the suspect’s care,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Jasmin said the incident is believed to have occurred last Thursday when the child was under the care of the suspect, who had been employed as a babysitter for about a year and was paid RM450 a month.
He said the suspect, who was trusted as a family-like figure, was arrested by a team from the District Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) of the Tawau District Police Headquarters, with assistance from personnel from the Bombalai Police Station.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse.
Jasmin advised the public to remain vigilant and ensure the safety and welfare of children, and to report any suspected abuse to the authorities.
Reports can be made via hotline 089-772121, the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application, or at the nearest police station.
