Melaka couple remanded over death of disabled 9-year-old girl

MELAKA: The mother and stepfather of a nine-year-old girl, who died from alleged physical abuse at her home in Taman Kota Laksamana here, have been remanded for seven days to assist investigations.

The remand order until Monday (June 30) was issued by Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman at the Magistrate’s Court in Ayer Keroh here to facilitate investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Earlier on Tuesday (June 24), the husband and wife, aged 38 and 36 respectively, arrived at the court compound in a police vehicle.

They wore orange lock-up attire.

It is understood that the victim, the second of three siblings, was physically disabled and unable to walk.

On Monday (June 23), Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit told the media that the incident came to light that morning after police received a call from a doctor at a private hospital here.

The doctor informed police of suspected signs of abuse after the child was brought in for treatment by her stepfather, a restaurant assistant.

The medical officer discovered that the victim had a broken leg, as well as bruises on her head and body.

The victim died in the hospital’s emergency ward at 9.45am on Monday.