A man has been arrested after allegedly abusing his two-year-old stepson, just nearly two months after marrying the child’s mother, in a disturbing case reported in Seremban.
Seremban district police chief ACP Mohd Yatim Osman said the 24-year-old suspect is believed to have assaulted the toddler, causing injuries including bruises suspected to be from pinching.
He said police received a report at about 8.30pm yesterday from a woman regarding the abuse of her 2-year-and-11-month-old son by his stepfather.
Initial investigations found that the incident took place inside a car at a petrol station along the Seremban–Jelebu road.
Police also discovered that the child had allegedly been repeatedly assaulted at a family home in Jalan Rasah, Seremban.
Medical checks at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar (HTJ) found visible reddish bruises on both the front and back of the child’s body, believed to be caused by physical abuse.
The child is currently receiving treatment and has been admitted to hospital for further observation.
Acting on information, police arrested the suspect outside HTJ at about 10.55pm the same night.
Checks revealed that the man had no prior criminal record, and a urine test also came back negative for drugs.
Investigations also showed that the suspect had only recently married the child’s mother in April.
He has since been remanded for seven days until June 20, and the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
Police have urged the public to come forward with any information related to the case by contacting the Seremban district operations room.
