A family outing in Malaysia took a disturbing turn after a father allegedly ordered his 12-year-old son out of the family car following an argument, before driving away and leaving the boy stranded by a busy roadside.
The incident was captured on another motorist’s dashcam, showing the young boy desperately trying to catch up with the departing vehicle before falling onto the road.
The 45-year-old father was subsequently arrested by Malaysian police over suspected child abandonment.
Boy Seen Clinging To Car As Father Drives Away
The incident reportedly happened on Nov 9 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, according to local media reports.
Dashcam footage showed a white car stopped along a busy road, with a man standing outside and speaking to a young boy.
Shortly afterwards, the man returned to the driver’s seat while the boy walked towards the passenger side, apparently attempting to get back into the vehicle.
However, he was unable to open the door.
The car then began moving, with the boy still holding onto the rear door handle as he tried to keep up with the vehicle.
He eventually lost his grip and fell onto the road.
A passing motorcyclist and the motorist who recorded the incident stopped to assist the injured child.
Father Arrested In Kuala Lumpur
According to reports by The Star, the boy’s 45-year-old father was arrested in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, on Nov 10, a day after the incident.
The suspect, reportedly a Chinese national, was detained on suspicion of abandoning his son by the roadside. Police also seized the white vehicle involved.
During investigations, the man allegedly told authorities that he had been involved in an argument with his eldest son while the family was on an outing in Selangor.
Angered by the disagreement, he reportedly stopped the vehicle, ordered the boy to get out and scolded him.
He subsequently drove away, claiming that he wanted to teach his son a lesson.
Father Claims He Returned To Pick Up Son
The father reportedly told investigators that he had seen his son fall onto the road.
He claimed that he turned back to retrieve the boy before bringing him to a clinic for medical attention.
Malaysian police are investigating the case over suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment or exposing a child to physical or emotional injury.
The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether the father’s actions breached child protection laws.
The case has also drawn attention to the dangers of leaving young children unattended beside busy roads, particularly when emotions run high during family disagreements.