LABUAN: A 37-year-old local man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here on Monday in connection with the death of his two-month-old baby girl, who is believed to have been abused.
The case was mentioned before Magistrate Dr Melissa Chia Pui Fung and conducted by ASP Ruslan Tarai from the Labuan District Criminal Investigation Division.
No plea was recorded from the accused during the proceedings.
According to the facts of the case, the incident came to light after police were alerted by Labuan Hospital at about 2.40 am on May 9 regarding a two-month-old baby girl brought to the hospital, suspected to be a victim of abuse. The infant later died while receiving treatment.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the baby had serious head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, as well as several rib fractures.
The man was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and, if not sentenced to death, not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
The court fixed June 23 for mention of the case. 22 prosecution witnesses are expected to be called.
