Young Couple In Penang Under Investigation For Throwing Newborn Baby Off A Balcony
The mother panicked after giving birth and threw the child from the fourth floor of a flat.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 15 May 2020, 02:41 PM
An 18-year-old woman has been nabbed by the police for throwing her newborn baby out of a small balcony
According to New Straits Times, the mother panicked after giving birth to a baby girl and threw the child from the fourth floor of a flat.
The incident took place on Wednesday, 13 May at Flat Persiaran Mayang Pasir 5, Bayan Baru in George Town, Penang.
A resident heard a loud thud outside of their home around 8am and found the baby inside a bag
Miraculously, the baby was still alive. The witness then alerted the authorities regarding the incident.
Not long after that, a team of police officers along with Bayan Baru Health Clinic staff members arrived at the scene.
Southwest district police chief Superintendent AA Anbalagan told Harian Metro that the baby was found in an open area of the building.
"Police identified the suspect's home and took the mother and the baby to Penang General Hospital (HPP) to receive treatment," he added.
The child sufferred injuries to the brain, skull, and heart. She was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), but Anbalagan noted that the child is now is in stable condition.
After being questioned by the police, the 18-year-old admitted that she gave birth in a toilet without her family's knowlege
Police explained to Harian Metro that during the incident, the suspect's parents were away. Meanwhile, the suspect's siblings who live in the same house were not aware of the incident.
She also revealed that her boyfriend was the father of the child. The 18-year-old boyfriend surrendered himself to the police at Bayan Baru Police Station yesterday, 14 May.
A urine test found that the man tested negative for drugs and does not have any previous criminal records.
Anbalagan said that further investigations will be carried out once the police obtains a remand order from the court.
The case is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code
According to Burgie Law, Section 317 reads, "Whoever, being the father or mother of a child under the age of twelve years, or having the care of such child, exposes or leaves such child in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning such child, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both."
