A 22-year-old Malaysian woman is set to face criminal charges after she allegedly threw her newborn daughter from the 10th floor of a residential block in Johor Bahru, resulting in the infant’s death.
The case has shocked residents in the area after investigators concluded that the baby was still alive when she was allegedly thrown from the building.
Authorities arrested the woman, believed to be the child’s biological mother, at Hospital Sultanah Aminah at around noon on June 2 following weeks of investigations.
Baby’s Body Found In Flat Carpark
Police were first alerted to the incident on May 2 at approximately 2:40pm after members of the public discovered the body of a newborn baby girl in the parking area of a flat in Johor Bahru.
Officers immediately launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
According to Johor acting police chief Deputy Commissioner Hoo Chuan Huat, investigations later revealed that the baby was allegedly alive before being thrown from the 10th floor of the building.
The discovery prompted a more extensive investigation, with police gathering witness statements and forensic evidence to establish exactly what had happened.
Suspect Arrested At Hospital
Following weeks of inquiries, police arrested the 22-year-old woman at Hospital Sultanah Aminah on June 2.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect does not have any prior criminal record.
Investigators have also interviewed several witnesses as part of the case and completed the necessary procedures before referring the matter to prosecutors.
The arrest came a month after the infant’s body was found, suggesting that police had spent considerable time gathering evidence before making the move.
Woman To Face Court Charge
After reviewing the findings, the Johor prosecution office approved charges against the woman.
She is expected to be brought before the Johor Bahru Sessions Court to face a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Under Malaysian law, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years. The court may also impose a fine upon conviction.
The case is likely to attract significant public attention as legal proceedings begin, given the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the newborn child.
Investigation Continues
While police have announced the intended charge, authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident or whether any additional individuals may be involved in the investigation.
As the matter is now before the courts, further details are expected to emerge during the legal process.
The death of the infant has generated widespread concern in Malaysia, with many awaiting the outcome of the court proceedings to understand how the tragedy unfolded and whether any underlying factors contributed to the incident.
Screengrab via NST online